Furness MARCH Newsletter Information for the April Newsletter should be sent to Moira Fair by Tuesday 22nd March at newsletter@furnessu3a.org Issue No. 10.11 March 2016 u3asites.org.uk/furness Programme of Meetings at The Coronation Hall, Ulverston 10.15am Date: Speaker and Subject: Refreshments: Tuesday March 8th The Annual General Meeting, Please be in your seats by 10.15am and note that Membership Cards must be shown on entrance. The Agenda and Minutes of last year s AGM can be found at the end of this newsletter. The AGM will be followed by: Judy Pickthall, Chair, Ulverston Community Enterprises (UCE) speaking on The Future of the Coro. The Forum Tuesday April 12th Mr Richard Hargreaves Mountains of Peace in the Balkans Ukulele Tuesday May 10th Our 10th Anniversary Party with entertainment by our very own members Our meeting in May will be a special Anniversary Concert performed by our own talented members. This will take the place of the monthly Speaker Meeting and will be followed by an optional finger buffet. The provision of table seating in the main Hall will limit the number of buffet places to 130 for which tickets will be necessary. If you wish to attend the entertainment and the buffet, the ticket price will be 8.50 and these will go on sale at the meeting on Tuesday 8th March. Members who wish to enjoy the entertainment only will have seating in the balcony and pay the usual price of 2.00. Tickets for this will not be needed. A Letter from the Chairman After a few days with proper sunshine, bright and cold (a frost or two, even) maybe we can start thinking that spring really is around the corner. Anybody thinking about spring-cleaning? Not quite spring-cleaning, but March is the time for our AGM, the notices about which are elsewhere in this newsletter. The AGM is the time when we renew the committee, and review the past year, and make sure that we are doing the best for you, the members of Furness U3A. Of course, one of the things that all U3As strive to do is meet the interests and needs of their members. Our U3A is growing and with growth often comes strains (OK, we're not teenagers...well, maybe we think we are still teenagers!). As we enter our second decade as a U3A, we need to consider what we do right, and what we could do better. And for that we need your opinions and ideas. A bucket list of the things you or we don't do, but could do, or would like to do. Is there a way that the U3A could make some of these things happen? If you ever talk to members of other U3As, you'll know that every U3A seems to do things differently. We tend to operate in our own little world, not thinking too much about what others do, but perhaps we should be more aware. I hope we'll see as many of you as possible at the AGM, where we'll also have the opportunity to hear an update from Judy Pickthall on the future proposals for the Coronation Hall, the vital centre for so many of our activities. John Kaye
Drop-in Sessions The next Drop-in is on Tuesday 29th March from 10.00-11.30am, where the groups featured will be Architecture, Local History and Write A Memory. There will be free advice available at the Computer help desk, please bring along your own PC etc. as this helps us to help you. Please come and enjoy the coffee and company. New Groups The latest suggestions for new groups are listed below. If you are interested in any of them and would like to register that interest please use the contact provided or sign up at the next Coro meeting. All Things Japanese One of our members with family connections in Japan would welcome a group that focussed on Japanese culture and possibly studying the language.. Digital Photography Practical Electronics Handbell Ringing How to Communicate Knitting Rummikub Do we have any members who enjoy electronics and would be interested in forming a group? This is a possible new group for anyone who wants to understand electronics and collaborate with others to build small electronic devices using cheap components like the Raspberry Pi. No knowledge or previous experience necessary. Email electronics@furnessu3a.org for more information Following the talk at the recent monthly meeting, a list of interested members was started. A group to encourage and develop more effective speaking and listening skills. Please see the Group page on the website for further information. Contact Doug Cross or Liz Vaughan on 885420, email: doug@ukcaf.org This is currently a very popular activity. Are there members who would like to meet regularly to develop this craft? A group for anyone wanting to discuss knitting problems, hone new skills, just get better at knitting and help others. Email knitting@furnessu3a.org if you are interested. Rummikub is rather like a game of rummy but using number tiles instead of playing cards. If you are interested please contact Joan Nicholson on 462850. Group Notices Linguistics The next meeting is on Wednesday 9th March, 2.00-4.00pm in the Small Bedford Room at Ulverston Methodist Church Hall (on the corner of Neville Street and Hartley Street). We will be discussing Language and Power. Please contact Mark on 825006, email: morcusporcus@btinternet.com Local History Tuesday 22nd March to be held at the St. Mary's Parish rooms, Church Walk, Ulverston at 2pm. The speaker will be Jill Jepson talking about Furness Abbey. All U3A members welcome. Manchester Camerata The next Manchester Camerata Concert is Baroque Favourites and features the extraordinary Norwegian trumpet virtuoso Tine Thing Helseth as well as the Strings of the Camerata. The concert is on Thursday 19th May at 7.30pm at the Coronation Hall. Our Group Booking (minimum 10 seats) attracts a 15% discount against the normal seat prices and I have made a provisional reservation of 25 balcony seats and 10 front stall seats. We can also book rear stall seats but I have not made any reservation yet. Group discounted prices for this concert are: Balcony 17.00 and Front Stalls 14.88. If you wish to book seats for this concert, please contact me on 463391 or 07444106147 or email: chrisaj.hill@gmail.com. For payment I will need your cheque, made payable to Furness U3A Social Fund, to be sent to Chris Hill, 14 Tantabank, Dalton in Furness, Cumbria, LA15 8QY before the closing date of 10th May. 2
Science and Technology Forum The next meeting, which is open to all members of the U3A, is on Thursday 3rd March at 2.00pm in the Supper Room of the Coro. The session will be presented by John Kaye and is on Nanotechnology: Promise and Perils? A history and overview of the development of nanoscience and technology, with a look at some current and future applications: graphene, medical drug delivery, data storage and self-assembling machines. The 'grey goo' scenario will also get an outing! Visiting Gardens Tuesday 15th March - Holehird. Meeting at Daltongate and leaving at 10.00am. Costs: 4 for gardens and guide plus 3 for drivers. Tuesday 19th April - Old Post Office, Woodland. More information later. For more details and to book your place, please ring Diane on 463391. All welcome. STUDY DAY EVENT: DELVE WITH DANNY! on MONDAY 18TH APRIL 2O16 An introduction to using the Archives Office, using Abbot's Reading as an example. You may have come on the visit to Abbot's Reading Farm last year so will remember it is a very old farm. We will try and make a time line of its history. Even if you didn't come on the visit, it should still be an interesting session. Meet at Barrow Archives Centre (behind Barrow Library) at 2.00pm for an afternoon with Danny Elsworth. Danny will tell us what's in the Archives, how to get documents out, show us how to use census returns, maps, plans etc. to find information. It promises to be a fascinating afternoon. Please bring some ID, eg driving licence, to enable you to get into the Archives Office. 3 for the session. Contact Dawn Elsworth 583O9O or O7449112134, or dawn.elsworth@talk21.com to book a place. FURNESS U3A ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING to be held on Tuesday, MARCH 8th, 2016, at 10.15am in the Coronation Hall, Ulverston Agenda 1. Chair s welcome 2. Apologies for Absence: Pat Munro 3. Minutes of AGM held on 10th March 2015 (circulated ) to be agreed and signed 4. Reports: a) Chair b) Treasurer Acceptance of Accounts for 2015/16. (circulated) c) Appointment of Examiner of Accounts for 2016/17 5. Subscriptions for 2016/17 6. Election of Officers and Committee Members 7. Date of next AGM Tuesday, 14th March, 2017 Chair closes the Meeting. Subscriptions will be collected at the March Drop-In and the April Monthly Meeting. 3
MINUTES of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the FURNESS U3A held in the Coronation Hall on March 10 th, 2015. 1. The Chair, Grete Hughes, opened the Meeting at 10.00 a.m. and welcomed members and visitors. 2. Apologies for absence had been received from Mike Pearson, Sheila Bull, Annie and Vince Warwick. 3. The MINUTES of the last A.G.M. held on 11 th March, 2014 (copies of which had been circulated) were approved dated and signed as a true record. Proposed by Veronique Bonnard, Seconded by Bharath Rajan. Agreed by the members. 4. REPORTS: a) Chair: Grete told the members that we had enjoyed an extremely active year. 88 new members had joined during the year with the current membership standing at 496. The number of Groups had increased to 52 with more new groups anticipated. Thanks were given to group leaders/facilitators for their continued support. In appreciation, an enjoyable Garden Party was held during the Summer, kindly hosted by Chris and Diane Hill. A coach full of members enjoyed a varied Summer Outing, involving a canal trip, rail journey and time in Skipton and Haworth. A number of groups held study days away and holidays connected to their group interests. The website and monthly newsletter keep our information up-to-date, with articles, notices and photographs. Our Programme Secretary, Brenda Crozier has provided us with a varied selection of interesting speakers, entertaining and informing the 160 or so members who attend the monthly meeting. Study Days this year have involved historical walks, flamenco dancing and music, drawing and debates. The Drop-In continues to thrive with the opportunity to see how different groups work, introduce new members and to chat in an informal atmosphere. The Cumbria Network and the North West Region of U3As have put on Study Days and Courses which have been attended by Committee members, providing us with the opportunity to see how other U3As can work together to their mutual benefit, and learning of ways to improve the running of your U3A. Also, John Kaye is now a Research Ambassador for the U3A. A team from Furness won the Cumbria Network Quiz and will host the competition this year. Grete thanked all members and committee members who volunteered their time and skills in keeping our U3A active. Recognition was also given to the staff of the Coronation Hall for their continued support. She thanked everyone for having been given the chance to work with an excellent team and said how she had enjoyed the opportunity of serving on the Committee in various roles over the last three years, and for her time as Chair of the Furness U3A. Thanks to the Chair from the members were given by Irene Pearson. b) Treasurer: (Financial Reports had been circulated) Brenda clarified several points on the balance sheet of the General Fund, breaking down and giving more detail for specific items than last year. Subscriptions were up on last year but income from the monthly meetings was slightly down. Costs for printing and postage were significantly up. The surplus year on year is dropping. Difficult decisions have had to be made this year, mainly due to the hire charges in rent/refreshments now being levied by the Coronation Hall. As the venue is central to a host of U3a activities, we have managed to negotiate a set monthly figure, allowing us to ask only for a small increase in our entry fees. Negotiations are on-going with the management of the Hall and members will be kept informed. To this end, the Committee recommend that the entry fee for the monthly meeting should be raised to 2.00 and that the annual Membership Subscription should rise to 12.00. An extra charge should also be made for members wishing to receive a posted newsletter. Questions were taken from the floor: A query was raised as to the amount held in reserve, 7377.74. The Treasurer explained that this figure would be reduced by approx. 2700.00 when the annual capitation fee was paid to our parent body. We are recommended to hold an amount to cover forward expenses, rental agreements etc. for at least six months ahead. Regarding a query on the charge for a posted newsletter, the Treasurer stated that a copy could still be collected at the monthly meeting free of charge. 4
5. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Approval was given for the entrance fee for the Monthly meeting to rise to 2.00, Proposed by Joan Nicholson, Seconded by Tony Sewell, Agreed by the members. Approval was given for the Annual Membership Subscription to rise to 12.00. Proposed by Irene Pearson, Seconded by Brenda Alexander, Agreed by the members. Approval was given for the addition of 8.00 p.a. for a newsletter to be posted. Proposed by Margaret O Keeffe, Seconded by Bharath Rajan. Agreed by the members Approval was given for the appointment of Tony Sewell as Examiner of Accounts for 2015/16. Proposed by Diane Hill, Seconded by Steve Baldwin. Agreed by the members A vote of thanks to the Treasurer was given by Grete Hughes. 6. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE: Our Constitution allows for a maximum of 10 members and 2 co-opted members. Members are elected for one year. This year 8 members have agreed to stand again and 4 members are stepping down. They are Grete Hughes, Brenda Crozier, Andrew Menary-Smith and Mike Pearson. This year we have had 2 members come forward which will make a Committee of 10 with the option to recruit 2 co-opted members during the year. Therefore there will be no election. The new Committee members are: Chair: John Kaye Vice Chair: Chris Hill Secretary: Sheila Price Treasurer: Brenda Edmondson Social Fund Treasurer: Chris Hill Maureen Houliston, Pat Munro, Jean Elliott, Moira Fair, Rosemarie Kyles and Sheila Bull. Approval was given for the new Committee. Proposed by Steve Baldwin, Seconded by Irene Pearson. Agreed by the members. 7. DATE of next A.G.M. - Tuesday, 8th March, 2016. 8. The Chair closed the Meeting at 10.28 a.m. 5