We wish all our members a positive and fulfilling 2020, enjoying more of what we offer in our U3A, meeting up with members and exploring learning. We would especially like to welcome those new to CE&DU3A and hope to meet you at some point in the near future: at a Monthly Meeting or one of the social events. Please see the short piece below for ways you can support your U3A.
Very warmest wishes
Sue Felgate, for the Executive Committee
Monthly Meetings
Get me to the Church on time!
These very popular and well-attended meetings are a key part of our U3A.
Taking place on the second Thursday morning of every month at the 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. Doors open at 10.00am, when you can get refreshments and chat to other members and friends (please bring your own cup or mug).
As we begin a new year of invited speakers, we would like to ask all members to take their seats by 10.30am. This gives time for members’ notices before commencing the guest speaker’s talk promptly at 10.45am.
Please also let us know in advance if you have any special seating requirements, for example, a wheelchair space or if you need to sit on the front row to hear or see better. We can then reserve a space for you.
We would like to have two trained first-aiders present at our monthly meetings. If you are trained in first aid and would like to be added to our list of available volunteers who may be called on if necessary please let us know by emailing cedu3a@gmx.com We will contact those on the list before each meeting to ensure that we have at least two volunteers present.
Union Church has recently invested in proactive health and safety by acquiring a life-saving Defibrillator, which is located on the wall of the Ramp Access corridor upstairs.
Thursday 9 January 2020
Andrew Ellis: Art UK: Democratising Access to the Nation’s Art
Andrew Ellis will give an illustrated talk about an ambitious project to catalogue and digitise the nation’s art collection from more than 3000 venues across the UK, describing what has been discovered, telling the stories behind a number of the nation’s paintings and sculptures and explaining how people can get involved. At least 80% of the nation’s art collection is in store or in buildings without routine public access.
Before Art UK started its work, much of this art had not been photographed. This project is opening up the national collection of art, making what is publicly owned, publicly accessible.
Andrew Ellis has been Director of Art UK since 2003, with responsibility for the overall strategic planning and direction of the organisation.
Thursday 13 February 2020
James M Taylor: Brilliant British Humour in the Forgotten Art of the Picture Postcard, 1840-1950s
Artist-drawn postcards were the most popular art form from the Edwardian era to the outbreak of World War II. They entertained, inspired, instructed, motivated, persuaded and lifted up the spirits. Discover the popular themes and styles by the masters of the medium such as Mabel Lucie Attwell, Donald McGill and Fred Spurgin; and why their popularity waned with the British public.
Dr James Taylor MA (Hons) FRSA studied at the Universities of St Andrews, Manchester and Sussex. He is a former specialist in Victorian paintings at Phillips Fine Art Auctioneers and curator of paintings, drawings and prints, and contributor to various exhibitions and galleries at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. He has been an independent author, lecturer and exhibition organiser since 1999.
Further details: https://cedu3a.org.uk/monthly-meetings
Christmas Companions and Twixmas
Our first attempt to link people up on Christmas day was, in part, successful, and we learnt a lot about how to do it better next year, thanks to the feedback we received.
Everyone who got in touch seeking company found it, although not necessarily because of us! Several met up and enjoyed a meal together – which was wonderful: many thanks to the host who also enjoyed the day. One or two decided to volunteer at charities/churches, one was invited to join family even though it was quite far away, and so on. As far as we know no-one was on their own, which is great.
Quite a few people were interested in something after Christmas and, thanks to Roslyn, several activities were organised. In future, I am sure there is space for other activities to be organised in this Twixmas week.
Key features for future Christmas Day links are knowing the addresses of all those involved and making sure that we ‘lead’ people more directly to get in touch with each other.
Thank you to everyone who got in touch and wishing you all a Happy New Year.
Patsy Nightingale, Coordinator
Twixmas activities
The ‘Twixmas’ time is often quieter than the rest of the year. Thirty people signed up to receive details of our activities: nine came to coffee and the walk, with four completing the entire Parkland Walk. Eight came to lunch at Mossy Well and were very appreciative of this event, as were others on the Twixmas database. See the U3A Facebook page for pics of the café, pub lunch and the walk (including Ed and his dog).
In addition, an Outings Group member shared that she was going to the theatre on 2 January and invited others to meet her there. Perhaps this is something which could be further developed (ie others besides the main organisers sharing their plans).
Roslyn Byfield, Outings Group convener and executive committee member
Coffee Mornings
These monthly get-togethers, held in people’s homes from 11.00 am to 12.30 pm, are a great way to meet other members. January is full, but you are welcome to join the waiting list. There is space for the February 18 meeting, in Bounds Green. To book please contact Jacki on https://cedu3a.org.uk/coffee-mornings/
We need hosts from March onwards. If you would like to host a morning (the day of the week is your choice), or need any further information, please contact Jacki, as above.
First Monday Pub Lunches
Our pub lunches are held on the first Monday of every month at the Mossy Well in Muswell Hill. They provide an opportunity for members to meet and chat in an informal and social atmosphere. Members, of course, have to pay for their own food and drinks. If you would to come along, please email pub@cedu3a.org.uk
Membership Renewal
It’s renewal time again. Thanks to all those (over 300 members) who have already renewed; we will be sending reminders to those who haven’t, later this month. Please renew online with PayPal: it saves us a lot of work and expense.
Ed Allen, Membership Secretary
Interest Groups
German Conversation
Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
If so, please join us at our monthly Kaffeeklatsch. The aim is to provide an opportunity for German speakers to revive, practise and develop their German in a sociable context. This group is for basic to intermediate level speakers. A second German Conversation Group may be offered for advanced/fluent/native speakers. Please indicate which group would be best for you when you apply to join the group.
The Group meets monthly on Wednesdays, 2.30 to 4 pm, beginning Wednesday, 12 February 2020 at the Weston Park Café (back room), 85 Weston Park, Crouch End, N8 9PR.
Italian Conversation 3
Parliamo italiano
Un gruppo di conversazione per coloro che vogliono praticare e migliorare il loro italiano. Il nostro proposito e` di parlare solo in italiano, su un argomento o un tema che il gruppo ha scelto in anticipo. Forniremo un ambiente incoraggiante e amicevole in quale possiamo imparare insieme.
This is an Italian group at intermediate/advanced level. It is not suitable for beginners. The Group will meet fortnightly on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month in a cafe in Crouch End beginning on the 14 January 2020.
Convener needed for Architecture Group
Would you be interested in convening a new Architecture Group? We had a successful Architecture Group last year, but the convener is no longer able to run it. If you are interested in architecture (you don’t have to be an expert) and would be willing to convene or co-convene this Group, please contact Graham at newgroups@cedu3a.org.uk . We have a team that can support you in setting up and running the Group.
A Message from our Groups’ Committee
A friendly reminder to all our members that a reasonable standard of behaviour is expected from members to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy, learn and get the most out of their group. Our interest groups only exist because of your willingness and enthusiasm to support and encourage them. The convener, like you, is a member of CE&DU3A and a volunteer who takes a lead role. Group members’ help and assistance is essential in ensuring the success of the group.
All groups are different. Some meet regularly, at the same place and time, while for others you are required to book each time. Some groups are short-term, meeting over a fixed period. Most groups meet in members’ homes. Where specialist facilities are required, as with sports groups or where space or ease of access limit the use of members’ homes groups will meet in local venues.
Please make every effort to let the convener know if you can’t attend or withdrawal from a group. Of course we understand that attendance is not always possible – but after several missed meetings or failure to notify absence the convener will be in touch. This is particularly important where groups are oversubscribed or a planned visit has a limit on numbers, where poor attendance may prevent others from joining the group.
Please respond promptly to emails from the convener to confirm attendance or absence. This is particularly important where costs are incurred. Where members are unable to attend a pre-booked event at short notice costs may not be refundable.
Some groups also may have more members than available places and will operate assuming that not everyone will attend every meeting. In confirming that they are unable to attend a meeting or visit, the place may be offered to a member from the waiting list.
Become involved with your group. Offering to help may take many forms – such as helping to set up the room, hosting a meeting, preparing a session or taking the register. Please be respectful of house rules when attending meetings in people’s homes. In local venues regulations will generally apply in respect of matters such as smoking, vaping, dogs, food etc, but this is not the case in members’ homes. The decision as to what is permitted is theirs. If unsure raise with the host.
As in any organisation, problems may occur from time to time. In most cases these may be resolved amicably through discussion with the convenor and where the problem persists or is not resolved with the Groups’ Coordinator.
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
Social Media
Our Facebook administrators would like to wish all new and renewing members a Happy New Year. At the moment only 176 out of over 800 members make full use of our page, where you can see photos of and comments on our U3A events and promote concerts and exhibitions in which you may be involved. We would like to get our Facebook group membership to at least around 200 in the coming months so why not join by clicking on this link?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/300181150556772/
Volunteering
Again, many thanks for your offers of help, we need just a few more members …
We need just one or two more volunteers to help at Monthly Meetings and if possible learn how to use the projector (very straightforward). If anyone would be prepared to share this role, please let us know, chair@cedu3a.org.uk
Equipment Coordinator
We need someone to coordinate the booking in and out of storage (two locations only) of our audio-visual equipment and ensure everything is working properly. The equipment will be used by groups and at our regular open meetings. Time commitment: 1-2 hours a week at most: this can be done from home, basic IT skills needed.
Volunteering coordinator
We need one person or a small team to work with our Database Coordinator as a point of contact for those offering their skills and interests to see where these can best support the work of CE&DU3A. Some experience of working in teams would be helpful.
Time commitment: 2 hours a week at most and will depend on demand, less if we have a small team; needs to be IT literate.
For more information on these two roles, contact Sue (chair@cedu3a.org.uk).
Advance Notice of AGM
A registered charity, the Crouch End & District U3A will be holding its second Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 2 April 2020, following directly on from the April monthly meeting.
At the AGM you will be asked to elect officer and non-officer Trustees, approve the accounts and hear a brief overview of our progress to date and plans for the future. Calls for officer and non-officer nominations will go out in late January.
The AGM should not last longer than one hour and it is important that as many of you as possible stay are there because, as we continue to grow, this year we need a minimum of 85 people present to be quorate. Looking forward to seeing you there.
