As a new initiative across Notts u3a’s network of online groups, Carlton and Gedling u3a is sharing a:-

Film Study Group
Nearly all of us have computers, laptops or tablets. All of us have TVs, many with some sort of ‘smart’ capability. Many of us love films and there are loads of interesting films available for free on YouTube, BBC iPlayer and All4. What we do is select a couple of films to watch, then discuss and share our thoughts about them. Quite often, especially with classic films, we can find short YouTube videos to enrich our understanding and enjoyment of the film.

We meet on the fourth Monday in the month, 2 – 3.30 pm. We alternate a focus on a couple of classic films from the history of cinema with a focus on more recent films. We watch the films at times of our own choosing and then meet over the internet using zoom for the discussion and to choose our next films. To be able to join the Zoom discussion you will need a computer/laptop/tablet with a camera and microphone capability.

Opera Study Group
Our opera group has taken on a whole new lease of life since the lockdown started. We are now meeting twice a month, instead of once as previously. At each meeting we discuss an opera we have all watched in the preceding fortnight and one of us introduces the next opera we are going to watch in the next fortnight. So far, we have never had to pay to watch an opera, since there are so many operas available to stream for free.

We are a mix of opera novices and quite experienced opera fans and everyone is welcome whatever your level of prior knowledge. We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, 10.00am to 12 noon. To be able to join the Zoom discussion you will need a computer/laptop/tablet with a camera and microphone capability.

We have been watching operas on YouTube, usually on the Operavision website. The Operavision operas are usually high quality in performance, picture and audio. There are 30-40 operas available at any one time and they are usually available for a couple of months each. ALL FOR FREE. The repertoire is, if anything, particularly strong on operas which are less well known although there are lots of popular classics as well. Although we are not terribly advanced technically we are making use of the zoom facility for the host to introduce the next opera by showing clips using the shared screen.

There are no affiliation fees

If you are interested please contact (pkmartinez14@gmail.com)

Hello everyone and welcome. While none of us want to tempt fate, and anticipating that the mutated variants will only have a limited, controllable, effect, most of the news regarding the fight against Covid remains encouraging.

I am therefore pleased to report that the committee is making plans for the summer and the remainder of our 2021/22 year. With the recent relaxation of the rules about meeting in small groups of six indoors and up to 30 outdoors some of our groups have started meeting in person. Members are already walking, cycling and playing Pickleball and the ukulele, all being very careful to keep to current rules and regulations. We always make sure we keep up to date with those.

Coming soon: The reading group is starting up again, in a garden if the weather is nice, and the lunch group is hoping to start up in June. There could soon other activities going on indoors too, if any group does start to meet then please let Siobhan know and tell everyone what you are doing.

Technology has enabled us to do far more indoors during lockdown, many of us have kept in touch using technology, others haven’t wanted to or have been unable to, and some of us have welcomed it, reluctantly at first maybe, but it has enabled some meetings and group activities to continue. Like many organisations, we’re likely to continue with a mix of online and face to face activities. First thoughts are now that it is possible to have informal get-togethers of mini groups of 6 indoors (and as the weather improves) 30 outdoors then interest groups can consider meeting in this way.

We are approaching a time when the government are liable to further relax regulations regarding the use of Halls, Homes, Libraries, Bowling venues and outdoor activities. Wherever our groups are meeting the paramount concern must be the safety of all members from Covid 19. When we consider returning to use our venues it is still important to ensure that we all continue to follow whatever government guidelines are relevant at that time, e.g. numbers, hand washing, hand gel and social spacing.

Finally a thank you from the committee to those members who have offered help and suggestions relating to storing equipment and alternative venues to the leisure centre for the monthly meeting. Especially thanks to: Christine Eagle, Margaret Cook, Jean Cragg, Christine Ashby and Susan Foss

David Rose