MAYOR OF WINCHESTER'S CHARITY EVENTS

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Winchester walks:

CHAIRMAN'S LETTER

We are almost halfway through our 35th Anniversary year and what a year it is proving to be. There have
been very good speakers and we have more booked over the next few months. The August meeting will
celebrate our birthday with some additional treats. Due to space limitation this is a prebooked only
afternoon. No more applications can be accepted – sorry!

We are putting our toes in the water trying new events. Ann organised a day with the Red Cross aimed to
give us those of us who attended the confidence to cope in an emergency, and we hope to repeat the
event in the future. We are also engaging with those members who would like help with basic IT skills.
Vernon is your man dealing with that one.

We recently received an invitation to put a bid in to Winchester Radio to advertise and enlighten people in
the community what Winchester u3a is. A great surprise to me – we won – and now we will have lots of
advertising due to be aired for the next year on 97.4 FM encouraging people to check us out and maybe
join. It was extremely difficult covering our remit in a 30 second burst. We do so much and have so many
interest groups. I still find it incredible that we were chosen from all the organisations in Winchester.

Your committee listens to members and following a vote at the May monthly talk we are running a trial
from November 2024 through until March 2025 to amend the timing of monthly meetings. During the
winter months they will start – doors open at 1.30pm with speaker from 2pm. A resolution about this
change will be put forward at the next annual meeting. Watch this space!

Behind the scenes four of the committee members are trawling through the various documents we use
with a view to up-dating them if necessary. Needless this will take a while and will be presented to the
whole committee for ratification later. The newsletter hasn’t escaped and now includes some new items
relating to contact details for external organisations for which we don’t – and not likely to have – the
facilities or equipment. Sailing is a case in point. Our treasurer may well blanch at the mere thought of
purchasing a yacht!

Even further behind the scenes we attend Southwest area meetings and events and have recently voted
for a new National Chairman. Perhaps members should be giving thought to our own succession process.
Whilst it seems to be well into the future the annual meeting could provide the opportunity to be more
involved with our thriving Winchester u3a. Last but certainly not least one of our members, John Gardner,
has had an article published in the National magazine. Many congratulations to him.

Food for thought!

Joan, Chairman, Winchester u3a

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GROUP SECRETARY REPORT

There are a number of Groups looking for new members. Groups who would welcome new members vary from Allotments, Cycling, Languages, History, Novels to Wine Appreciation - so there should be something to interest you. The Group Listing includes all the Groups looking for members. New Groups are always welcome. If you are Interested in or thinking of starting a group, please contact me: Group Secretary

LITTLETON LIFTS

Can't get to Littleton for our monthly meetings?

Please contact Freda Bates well before the meeting date with your name and address, preferably by email Freda Bates or if that isn't possible by phone using the Telephone Directory.

Freda will then try to arrange a lift for you with a member who lives nearby if that is at all possible.

0124

TEAS AT GENERAL MONTHLY MEETINGS

Over the years individual Groups have been allocated the role of providing teas at the General Meetings. Now that we are again holding these meetings regularly and providing tea afterwards, it has been necessary for someone to co-ordinate this. I am pleased to announce that Angela Housden has kindly volunteered to do this.

With over 70 Groups the lot should fall on any one group very infrequently. The teas are important part of our socialising, enabling people from different Groups to meet and I hope that all will co-operate with Angela. The task (making tea, etc) is not onerous, with easily used equipment - including an excellent dishwasher - available. It could be regarded as a team-building experience for your group, and for those who do not normally come to our general meetings it will be an opportunity to hear one of our excellent speakers and to meet members from other groups.

John Craig, Group Secretary

0223

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING EVENT

Five Committee members attended the Health and Well-being event at Winchester Sport and Leisure Park, Bar End Road on the 15^th March to talk to people about Winchester u3a and the many groups and activities that are on offer.

Although the event was not widely advertised, we made some very useful contacts and are hoping to attend other similar events this year. If you hear of any local fairs this summer in your area that you think might want to promote Winchester u3a, please contact one of the Committee members.         Thank-you.

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