Notices
& useful links
Contact details:
Chairman
Mr Anthony C
Burdall,
2 Fernham Road,
Faringdon,
Oxfordshire SN7
7JY
Telephone : 1367 240713
chairman@faringdonu3a.org.uk
Membership
Membership@faringdonu3a.org.uk
Vice Chair
ViceChair@faringdonu3a.org.uk
Secretary
Secretary@faringdonu3a.org.uk
Treasurer
Treasurer@faringdonu3a.org.uk
SPEAKERS
These are held at The Corn
Exchange, Faringdon at 2.15pm for 2.30pm unless otherwise advised.
The main event is followed by free refreshments and a chance to
socialise and meet Group Leaders.
Thursday 11th September 2008 Thanks
to the Faringdon Art Society we are able to hold our usual monthly meeting in
the midst of the set-up for their annual three day exhibition. Our talk is "The
Royal Art Collection", a fascinating glimpse by Linda Collins, the well
respected NADFAS lecturer. September/October Newsletter available to collect.
Kitchen Helpers: Jane Archer, Jenny Gourlay, Diane Thomas Wednesday
8th October 2008 (note different date) FRESHERS FAIR - Stands and Displays by
every U3A Interest Group, not just for potential new members but an Open House
for all existing members to see what other groups might interest them. Free
entry and free hot drinks. Faringdon Corn Exchange 9.30am - 11.30am.
Thursday 9th October 2008
"Memoirs of a Country Coroner" by retired
Buckinghamshire coroner Rodney Corner.
Thursday 13th November 2008
"Arrive Alive" - we all need to keep our driving skills honed as we venture
onto our more and more crowded roads. Important tips and up-to-date information
from the Driving Standards Agency.
November/December Newsletter available
to collect.
Kitchen Helpers: Jane Archer, Jenny Gourlay, Diane
Thomas
REGIONAL STUDY DAY
CLIMATE
CHANGE
Causes and Consequences, Myth or Reality
Wednesday 12th
November 2008
Whiteladies Campus, Reading University.
Find out
about climate change. Is it happening? How much is your fault? What can you do
about it? Consider causes, control and cessation of Climate Change. This study
day will address what must be one of the main issues facing the world today. An
issue that affects not just us but our children and grandchildren.
Speakers are drawn from Reading University and are nationally and
internationally acknowledged experts. They will address a series of issues
relating to the causes and effects of climate change. Topics to be covered
include the science of climate change, causes and myths of climate change,
computers and climate, impacts on food and water, and climate change and
insurance. After the formal lectures, there will be a panel discussion session
giving delegates a chance to question the experts finishing with a quiz.
To fit in with term time University activities, the programme will
start at 12:00noon and continue until 4:30pm. On arrival coffee or tea will be
served. Afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones jam and cream and cakes plus tea
and coffee will served in mid afternoon.
The Study Day fee of
£10 includes participation in the full programme plus coffee/tea on
arrival, and afternoon tea. Members of U3A's which are not affiliated to the
TVR Network are welcome at an additional fee.
Further information
can be obtained from: Bob Jones, 48 Mowbray Drive, Reading RG30 4XY Tel: 0118
9413889
Email: r.e-j_jazz@tiscali.co.uk or
Anthony Burdall, 2 Fernham
Road, Faringdon Tel: 01367 240713
Email: anthony.burdall@burdall.net
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Message from the
Chairman
Summer is almost over
(Did it ever start?). Exam results at GCSE and "A" Level have been announced, a
new crop of students are going up to University, "back-to-school" offers are in
the shops, evenings are drawing in and it could be added that the end of the
sailing season is in sight! For U3A, it always seems to me that this season is
the beginning of a new year of activities. I know that many Groups have
continued without a summer break and there has been a very successful summer
outing. But nevertheless, this is a time for returning to our groups and
meetings refreshed and ready to start anew.
So now is the time to get
more involved in U3A activities. A club or association is only effective if its
members participate. U3A is no exception. We have a growing membership of over
300, but many are passive. That does not mean they do not attend groups or
monthly meetings. Indeed many do, but could they benefit more if they
contributed more? The answer is that all of us would benefit.
The
Freshers' Fair on Wednesday 8th October 2008 at 9:30am to 11:30am, in the Corn
Exchange, will once again provide a showcase of all the groups. Come along and
discover the huge variety of opportunities available. This can be the ideal
chance to join a new group. But, also, why not initiate a new group on a topic
dear to you - explore with others wine, or garden flowers, or puddings, or
comparative religions, or travel, or history of art, or whatever it is that
floats your boat. Keith Thrower would be delighted to hear from you and can
provide much back up and advice. And the Freshers' Fair would be an ideal forum
to attract others to your group. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
In
previous years, the Freshers Fair has been a catalyst for new members to join.
To welcome all new members (i.e. those who joined after last January) there
will be a New Members Coffee Morning on Wednesday 29th October 2008 at
Faringdon Bowling Club.
Away from our own U3A, there is the Thames
Valley Network, formally the Thames Valley Region, which offers a variety of
events. The next Study Day, after "Comparative Religions" in Swindon on 10th
September 2008, will be on "Climate Change: Myth or Fact" on 12th November
2008, at the Whiteladies Campus at Reading University; Speakers will address
issues on the causes and effects of climate change and what, if anything, we
can all do about it.
On the principle of "Many hands make light work"
we also would like to hear from anyone who is prepared to put in a small amount
of time in helping to organise U3A. Volunteers are needed - rather than weak
excuses as to why you should be a passenger. My favourite so far is "there are
too many men on the Committee" offered by, you've guessed, a man!
Anthony Burdall
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Editorial
The
Chairman has echoed most people's view about our summer. Even the experts don't
seem to be able to make up their minds about how bad it's been. One day they
seem to be saying that it has been "average" and that recent hot summers have
influenced our expectations. Then one reads that August is likely to break all
records for lack of sun - only 70% of the average. I will admit to thinking for
two or three seconds in July that we were back in 2007. The photograph on the
front cover was taken from near the mini-roundabout at the western end of the
Faringdon bypass. I took it because, as I approached the roundabout, it looked
as though the field was flooded, reviving memories of the ravages of last
summer. It was, however, an illusion - the field was a carpet of flax, blowing
in the breeze on a rare sunny day. Maybe it's been a summer of illusions!
There is much to fit in this month so all that remains for me to say
is a huge "thank you" to Sylvia for a splendid Summer Outing. It really
epitomised U3A - enjoyable learning!
Ian Clarkson
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GIFT AID
A £700 gift from the Chancellor When
the Accounts for 2007 are presented at the AGM they will show that last year
U3A Faringdon received £685 in Gift Aid. And all we had to do was to ask
for it!
Almost everybody whose income exceeds £150.00 per week
(£7,500 per year- going up to £9000 per year in April) pays income
tax. So, as a Registered Charity, U3A can claim back the income tax already
paid on donations - including the U3A Annual Membership fee - that almost
everybody makes to it. All we need to do is to send off to HMRC, a list of the
names of the people who make Gift Aid donations (We tell them nothing more and
they tell us nothing!) and we then receive 28p for every £pound they have
donated.
Something for nothing? It's too good to be true! But unlike
most similar offers, there are no catches! No checks! No returns or
declarations! All you have to do is sign in the appropriate place on the Annual
Membership Application form.
If you have any doubts or questions,
please talk to Les Dean, ( Treasurer), Anthony Burdall (Chairman) or Sue
Manners (Membership Secretary). They will give you a definitive answer (though
not necessarily immediately!).
It's a pity the Chancellor's name is
not Charles, otherwise we could all say "Charley is my Darling"!
Les Dean, Treasurer
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Below is a
list of web links you may find useful.
U3A National Site
Better Goverment for Older People
Better Government
for Older People [BGOP] is a movement of organisations working in partnership
to change attitudes and services in order to achieve an improved society for
older people across the UK.
National Council for Voluntary Organisations
Umbrella body for the voluntary sector in England, which represents the views
of its members to government, the Charity Commission, the EU, and other bodies.
National Institute for Adult Continuing Education NIACE
(The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education - England and Wales) is a
non-governmental organisation working for more and different adult learners.
A.I.U.T.A
The website of the International
Association of Universities of The Third Age
The Charity Commission
Charity Commision
Website registration pack from Charity Commission
Download a charity registration pack from The Charity Commission.
Publications from The Charity Commission
Link direct
to the publications page on The Charity Commission website.
Third Age Press
Books for third agers.
Age Concern
The official website of Age Concern in
the UK.
Help The Aged
HelpThe Aged is a charity working to
ensure that the rights of older people everywhere are secured.
Guidestar
A free website providing a 'one-stop-shop'
for information about the activities and finances of the registered main
charities in England and Wales.
Harrow U3A
The Harrow U3A web site with WWW links to
around 400 individual local U3A/ILR home pages in 28 countries.
World U3A
This website seeks to establish a service
for our international contacts and to provide educational resources as part of
a worldwide movement.
SUMMER OUTING
In the end
the Trip was almost full, which meant that we were able to have tea and coffee
on arrival. And the 'fun' of a raffle during the journey home. The winners of
this raffle were: Carolyn Clarkson, Gloria Lewis, Ann Stallabrass, and Les
Dean.
44 people travelled, and thank you to you all for being so
punctual both in the morning before leaving and at the end when leaving Dudley.
You make organising a trip easier. The sun shone for most of the day and it was
dry until the last half hour, when we had one of the VERY heavy downpours we
have been suffering lately and a few of our party got wet. As somebody said 'I
went down the mine when the sun was shining, and when I came out there was a
downpour'!
What a good day we had! The museum was very busy, but
because we were booked we were 'fast-tracked' through the entrance and given
our introductory talk by a 'local' called Granville, complete with cloth cap
and accent, while we had our coffee. Then we were free-so much to see and
nostalgia by the bucket load.
Most of what we saw, rather than amazing
history as seen by the children there, were vivid memories of our younger
years! I went back to school and had to sit up straight with my hands behind my
back! And others as mentioned went down a mine. There were 'faggots and peas'
to eat (plenty of other things too) and fish and chips cooked in dripping as it
used to be. I did have a chip (Mmmmm!) but unfortunately not the full thing as
the queue was far too long. But next time…..
NEXT YEAR WEYMOUTH -
MAYBE!
Sylvia
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Welcome to New Members
We are delighted to welcome the following new members and hope
that they will take full advantage of various opportunities on offer:
Leslie Cole, Barry Davies-Porter, Roy Woodley and Rosemary Gashe.
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Mature Times:
At
the beginning of 2008 one of our members gave me a copy of 'Mature Times' - a
very informative monthly publication being given away free at another U3A -
with a suggestion that Faringdon U3A could do similar.
On enquiring, I was
told we could be put on the waiting list, and I had a call the other day to say
we could have our first delivery of 100 copies in time for the July monthly
meeting. We can only make them available for collection at each monthly meeting
as we will not be able to afford to post them. However the Gloucester Street
Library have said they will take any copies remaining after the meeting, so
possibly one could be picked up from there.
Please do collect a copy, enjoy
it, and let Ian or me have your comments on whether you feel it's worth
carrying on with.
Sandra Wheeler, Publicity Group.
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NOTE DEADLINE FOR NEXT
ISSUE:
All contributions welcome, but please remember that the default font
size is 12 pt - if you send copy with larger font I may have to reduce it so
that all the items fit into 16 or 20 pages. Many thanks - Ian C
Please note
earlier deadline and
send copy to IAN
CLARKSON AT
25 STALLPITS ROAD, SHRIVENHAM.
TEL. 01793 782836
ian.clarkson@gmail.com
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