CHAIRMAN'S LETTER

I do hope you are all managing to cope with the hot weather and are keeping well hydrated and as cool as you can!
Many thanks to the fourteen groups who have already volunteered to contribute towards the Celebration of Winchester u3a that is due to take place at Littleton Hall on December 8th. It promises to be a most entertaining and enjoyable event, but if there are any other groups who would like to participate, please contact Jean at vicechair@winchesteru3a.co.uk.
As you all know, unlike other charities, every u3a is run by its members for its members. To a considerable degree, they each rely on the time and the endeavour of the individual men and women who work together as members of the committee – although most of this work is unseen. Four committee members will be standing down or reaching the end of their term at the AGM in March 2027, and we are particularly looking for anyone who would like to join the team either as Speakers Secretary or as Groups Secretary / Co-ordinator. If you think you might be interested or would like to contribute in another way you are very welcome to come along to a meeting to see what is involved and/or to shadow a member of the Committee.
At the committee meeting in June, we voted to adopt Beacon, which is the online management system that is used and recommended by National u3a. Beacon is available to all u3as in the UK at a cost of £1 per member per year, although there will be no increase to our membership fee for a few years at least, as we can dip into our reserves. It should provide a far more secure, efficient and effective means of managing our communications as well as our finances. I am delighted that David Wright, our Treasurer, has agreed to manage and oversee the transition and that Myrtle Trumper has volunteered to become the new Membership Secretary, once she has learnt how to use the system. Many thanks are also due to Marion for fulfilling two roles so willingly and so well in the interim period!
Some of you may be interested to hear about a new initiative from National u3a - u3a getaways – which is a programme of short holidays exclusively for members and their friends. You can find out more on the u3a getaways website. The first trip is to the South Coast - The Agatha Christie Story - from 14-18 September 2026 and there are five more that are advertised. Similar breaks may of course be available from other holiday operators.
Winchester u3a has recently been asked to host a regional meeting at Littleton Hall on Monday 21 September from 10am to 4pm so that the trustees of different Hampshire u3as have an opportunity to meet up and benefit from one another’s experience. We will need to provide refreshments as well as a buffet lunch, so if any of you can spare a couple of hours in the morning or the afternoon to help, please contact Marion at secretary@winchesteru3a.co.uk.
With best wishes to you all for the rest of the summer,
Ann

Ann Edwards, Chairman, Winchester u3a

  0826

WANTED - HELP WITH PUBLICITY

We are excited to announce the launch of a new Publicity Group to promote Winchester u3a. Our aim is to raise awareness of the wide range of activities and social opportunities available to those in their third age, and to encourage more people to become members.

To make this campaign a success, we are looking for help with a variety of tasks, including:

· Designing and distributing posters and leaflets to local shops, libraries, and community centres

· Assisting with social media and online promotion

· Organising and staffing information stalls at local events

· Reaching out to local media and writing articles or press releases

No previous experience is necessary—just a willingness to get involved and a passion for spreading the word about u3a. Whether you can spare an hour or two, or would like to take on a more active role, your help will make a real difference. If you are interested, please email vicechair@winchesteru3a.co.uk.

Together, we can grow our u3a and welcome even more members to our friendly and supportive community.

Thank you!

Jean Crispin

Vice Chair

0925

GROUPS 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: Groups Secretary

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