Category: Announcements

A September ‘Hello’ to all members.

Thank you for the significant response to our online AGM and for supporting the resolutions. As Barrie stated in his August message he did not expect to be our chairman beyond April‘s AGM. During the period between the March lockdown and now there was lots of correspondence to deal with, decisions to make and frequent Zoom meetings to attend by the Chair. On behalf of all of us at Hucknall and District U3A we extend our thanks to Barrie for carrying on and for remaining on the committee until April 2022.

We would also like to thank Melvyn Francis for standing as Vice Chair and to Greg Umney who has taken on the role of Membership Secretary following on from Marguerite who did a great job for the maximum term of 6 years.

What we are experiencing today is unprecedented in our lifetime. However we know about the ‘Spanish Flu’ and from an even earlier time the Black Death. In the spring of 1918 Mother Nature unleashed the deadliest strain of influenza in modern history. The virus infected as much as 40 percent of the global population over the next 18 months. Of these, an estimated 20 to 50 million died — more than the roughly 17 million people killed during the First World War. Spain was one of only a few major European countries to remain neutral during World War I. Unlike in the Allied and Central Powers nations, where wartime censors suppressed news of the flu to avoid affecting morale, the Spanish media was free to report on it in detail. Hence it was referred to as the ‘Spanish Flu’.

Today we are adapting our lifestyles to minimise the spread and effects of Covid-19. As we are aware older people usually suffer more severe effects than young people, this means it is even more important for U3As to adopt a common sense, safety first, approach to restarting activities. National U3A advice follows from the current Government advice which changes as circumstances change.

David Rose, Chairman

The online Zoom Monthly Meeting – 10.00 am, September 9th, 2020.

Agenda: Part 1

1. Welcome to the meeting – David Rose

2. Introducing the 2020 to 2022 committee members and their roles – Committee

3. An update on Covid-19 guidance and the impact on U3As – David Rose

4. Information about Group activity during lockdown – Siobhan Lee

5. Looking ahead in a changing environment – David Rose

Part 2

We are pleased to have member Bob Gow who will be taking us a walk through:

‘A short history of Bestwood from Royal Hunting Grounds to a Hive of Industry and Commerce’

Bob, as some of you will know, is heavily involved with the restoration and upkeep of the
Bestwood Engine Winding House which is the last remaining part of a vanished colliery and a relic of Victorian industrial engineering. Before all this came Nell Gwynne and Bob, much like Nell, will be revealing all.

ACCESSING THE MEETING WITHOUT THE INTERNET or ZOOM

This is a Zoom event however if you do not have Zoom, do not like Zoom or have Zoom fatigue then the meeting can be accessed by phone. It is your normal call rate (they are not premium numbers) It allows you to join in and listen to the meeting.

How to access

If you do not have an internet connection you can join the meeting by telephone.
Dial any one of the standard rate numbers below:
0203 901 7895
0131 460 1196
0203 051 2874
0203 481 5237
0203 481 5240
When prompted enter the meeting ID, which is 718 4497 8566, followed by #
When prompted for Participant ID, press #
When prompted for the meeting password, enter 136162, followed by #.
You will then be in the meeting.
To mute / unmute yourself during the meeting press *6

For more information please click on the link below:-

Haggis

Several months later than planned, I now find myself writing my final “Message from the Chair”.It has been a totally unprecedented year for all of us and one which will certainly go down in the History books!!

I would like to reflect on the past two years, prior to the Covid-19 situation arising and extend my very sincere thanks to the very many people who have not just given me personal support but have contributed so much to Hucknall and District U3A.

My first thank you goes to all those who have served on the Executive Committee. Much of their work goes unseen on occasions but their hard work and great togetherness is at the heart of the U3A. It has been a pleasure to work alongside such a great team. The Social Committee likewise have worked so hard to provide a rich variety of activities for members.

One member who does go “unseen” much of the time is Steve Lawrence, our Newsletter Editor. Steve works very hard each month to produce an excellent Newsletter, which I know from comments made to me has been particularly appreciated during the recent months, since it has been our one way of reaching all members.

Interest Group Leaders are also at the heart of the U3A and again I cannot thank you enough for your efforts.

Also thanks go to all members who attend our various Interest Groups, Social events and monthly meetings.

Going forward, every U3A is going to face previously unknown challenges in the foreseeable future. These will obviously centre around how the Covid -19 situation evolves, Social Distancing issues, availability of venues, limits on numbers allowed to meet together, finance and probably most significantly the confidence of Members to return to activities. However, I am certain that working together we can hopefully restore our U3A to a strong organisation once more.

Barrie Saunders
Chairman

A Recipe – The British – Poem by Benjamin Zephaniah

Take some Picts, Celts and Silures
And let them settle,
Then overrun them with Roman conquerors.
Remove the Romans after approximately 400 years
Add lots of Norman French to some
Angles, Saxons, Jutes and Vikings, then stir vigorously.
Mix some hot Chileans, cool Jamaicans, Dominicans,
Trinidadians and Bajans with some Ethiopians, Chinese,
Vietnamese and Sudanese.
Then take a blend of Somalians, Sri Lankans, Nigerians
And Pakistanis,
Combine with some Guyanese
And turn up the heat.
Sprinkle some fresh Indians, Malaysians, Bosnians,
Iraqis and Bangladeshis, together with some
Afghans, Spanish, Turkish, Kurdish, Japanese
And Palestinians
Then add to the melting pot.
Leave the ingredients to simmer.
As they mix and blend allow their languages to flourish
Binding them together with English.
Allow time to be cool.
Add some unity, understanding, and respect for the future,
Serve with justice
And enjoy.

Note: All the ingredients are equally important. Treating one ingredient better than another will leave a bitter unpleasant taste.
Warning: An unequal spread of justice will damage the people and cause pain. Give justice and equality to all.