Furness Issue No. 11.11 March 2017 MARCH Newsletter Information for the April Newsletter should be sent to Moira Fair by Tuesday 28th March at newsletter@furnessu3a.org u3asites.org.uk/furness Programme of Meetings at The Coronation Hall, Ulverston 10.15am Date: Speaker and Subject: Refreshments: March 14th The Annual General Meeting Please see the Minutes of Last Year s Meeting, Accounts, Group Accounts and the Agenda at the end of this Newsletter plus Ms Laura Wyatt talking about The Story of Grasmere Gingerbread Art mixed media Please note that as there will be a speaker at this meeting the usual entrance charge of 2 applies. However, if you wish to attend the AGM only then this charge does not apply. April 11th May 9th Mr. Jak Hirst The Ambleside Sports Art - drawing Our Open Morning with many of our various interest groups on display Drop-in Sessions The next Drop-in is on Tuesday March 28th from 10.00am to 11.30am in the Supper Room, upstairs at the Coronation Hall. Featured groups will be Strollers and Bookworms. There will be free advice available at the Computer help desk, please bring along your own Laptop, Tablet, etc. as this helps us to help you. Hope to see you there. A Letter from the Chairman A couple of months ago I mentioned the work of Hans Rosling, and how he showed through data that the world, despite its portrayal in most news media, is becoming a better place. Sadly, a couple of weeks ago Hans Rosling died. A great loss to statistics. But I was reminded of his work in the recent annual letter from the Gates Foundation (Bill & Melinda Gates), which highlights the same sort of progress. Worth a look (link at the bottom of this letter). They also say in their letter: "...the best investment any of us can ever make is in the lives of others". This comment was about the underprivileged of the world, but it is, of course, also what the U3A is for. We invest our time and effort to make the lives of our fellow members fuller and richer. If there any ways in which you think you could help to make this happen better for all of us, we are eager to hear from you. The more people involved, the more a U3A thrives. March is AGM month. I hope we'll see as many of you as possible at the meeting, when we'll also have the opportunity to hear from Grasmere Gingerbread, who've promised samples! John Kaye [2017 Gates Foundation letter: https://medium.com/bill-melinda-gates-foundation/warren-buffetts-best-investmenta699d4b56414#.kdipkncmz or search medium gates foundation buffett ]
Local History Group Notices Our meeting on Tuesday 28th March is in the parish rooms on Church Walk at 2pm. The speaker will be Mr. Richard Peeling with the 2nd half of Kendal in the 18th century. Looking forward to seeing any members of U3A. Strollers The first walk of the year will be on Friday 10th March at Birkrigg led by Barbara Crellin. Meet at Birkrigg crossroads at 10.30am. For more information contact Pat on 889574 or Diane on 889467 or Barbara on 585506. Visiting Gardens We go out on the third Tuesday of each month and we usually stay out for lunch. All information is in the Newsletter each month and at the Monthly Meeting. New members are always welcome. Tuesday 21st March Sizergh Castle, 5.75 for gardens (free for NT members) and 3 for drivers. Leaving Daltongate at 10am. Tuesday 18th April Lingholme and Mirehouse. More information later but we will be leaving Daltongate at 9.30am. To book your place and for more information please ring Diane on 463391. Items of Interest Volunteers Needed! On Friday 17th March 2017 Furness U3A will be having a table to publicise our organisation at the 'Living Well into Later Life' event. This takes place at Ulverston Library and is an all-day event. There will be displays, free talks and advice for older adults on every aspect of enjoying life and leisure whilst staying fit, happy and active. Local activity groups will join with health professionals and other experts together with refreshments and something for everyone. It would be very much appreciated if we could have a rota of people from Furness U3A to help for an hour or two by being at the table to tell people about our organisation, answer questions and hand out information. If you can spare any time to help with this event, please contact Linda Marshall on 587712 or email: spainhic@yahoo.co.uk. And More Volunteers! We will also be having a similar publicity event at Booths Supermarket on Thursday 20 April 2017 so please let Linda know if you can help out for an hour or two for this event. Coronation Hall, March 4th, 10am to 2pm South Lakes Energy Extravaganza Big Energy Fair CAfS has teamed up with South Lakeland District Council and we re on a New Year s mission to help people in the south of the county to reduce their energy bills. Drop in and find out about lots of practical things you can do to use less energy at home and save money. 2
New Groups Digital Photography This group is now meeting on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays. The 2nd Thursday at 2pm is for reviewing photos etc. while the 4th Thursday will be at various venues in order to take photos. For further information email david.kyles@btinternet.com Indoor Bowling This has limited participation indoors and the final occasions for trying out bowling in the Coro will be on 6th and 7th March. This requires booking in advance to be guaranteed a mat. Table Tennis We now have the opportunity to use the tables at the Methodist Church Hall in Ulverston. The first session will be on Thursday 16th March for 2.00 pm. If there is sufficient response it could continue on the third Thursday in the month at 2.00pm. Croquet This might be a possibility of this taking place at Greenodd.See the sign-in sheet at the Drop In or at the AGM. Cycling for leisure See the sign-in sheet at the Drop In or at the AGM If you are interested in any of the above groups and have not yet signed the interest sheets please email: rlong@toucansurf.com 3
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FURNESS U3A FINANCIAL REPORT INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR PERIOD ENDING 31st JANUARY 2017 Year Ended 31st January 2016 Year Ended 31st January 2017 General Account INCOME Subscriptions 6,176.00 6,292.00 Monthly Meetings 2,823.30 2,850.80 Drop In 2,262.45 2,774.27 Sundries 678.04 1,041.85 Total Income 11,939.79 12,958.92 EXPENDITURE Rent 5,860.45 6,315.92 Refreshments 189.71 0.00 Printing 1,400.74 345.44 Committee Expenses 898.46 622.79 Speaker fees 521.00 510.00 U3A 2,763.58 2,840.81 Postage/Stationery 88.98 196.96 Sundries 705.58 1,311.14 Total Expenditure 12,428.50 12,143.06 Income Less Expenditure - 488.71 815.86 Opening Balance 7,377.74 6,889.03 Plus Income 11,939.79 12,958.92 Less Expenditure 12,428.50 12,143.06 Closing Balance 6,889.03 7,704.89 Closing Balance at Bank 6,961.95 7,714.89 Unp Cheques 112.92 50.00 Cash 40.00 40.00 Closing Balance 6,889.03 7,704.89 0.00 0.00 Note 1: The closing balance will be reduced by approximately 3000.00 within the next month, with payment to the Third Age Trust for capitation and magazines. Note 2: The Groups Account fund Statement of Accounts is attached B. Edmondson T. Sewell Treasurer Examiner LIST OF ASSETS 1 Compaq Laptop Computer 1 Portable P.A. Unit 1 Sanyo Digital Projector Numerous Display Boards 1 Pull up banner system 2 Roving microphones 1 Projection Screen + projector stand 6
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