This note includes:
- New groups
- Request for group leaders
- Portsdown u3a annual lecture
- Maths week
- Books for sale
- New members coffee morning
- Our Facebook page
- November monthly talk
- The Coran Foundling project
- Booster programme
New groups
Following our successful Open Day we are starting up a number of new groups and would like to know if you are interested in the following:
- Lawn Bowls – we are collaborating with the Hayling Bowls Club at the community centre to have a Lawn Bowls group. It is currently planned that we will meet on a Thursday morning and Monday evening (once flood lights are installed). The first meeting will be on the 4th November.
- Photography Too – a new photographic group
- Blockbusters – new reading/book group
- Play reading – we are collaborating with HIADS to have two play reading groups that will be held on a Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Although currently full, it is still worth expressing an interest as a third group may be possible.
- Spanish Conversation – do you want to practice or resurrect an old skill, perhaps?
If you are interested, please contact me or Trevor Brash.
Request for group leaders
Could all group leaders who were at the open day ensure that they have put the names of people who registered an interest in their group activities onto the website, unless they have already been incorporated into your group already. If in doubt contact Trevor Brash who will be able to help.
Portsdown u3a annual lecture
Portsdown u3a is holding its annual lecture on Wednesday 17th November 2021 from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm at Cosham Baptist Church, Havant Road, Cosham PO6 2QZ.
Ernest Rea will speak on "The Medici: Florence and the golden age of art".
Ernie is a celebrated broadcaster who specialises in the history of religions and how they impact on the contemporary world. His regular radio programme, Beyond Belief, was awarded the prestigious Sony Gold Award for the best speech programme on British radio. In 1997 he was awarded personally the gold medal of the International Council for Christians and Jews for his outstanding contribution to interfaith understanding.
In 15th and 16th century Florence, a golden age of renaissance art flourished. The greatest painters on earth produced their masterpieces under the sponsorship of a remarkable family of Florentine rulers, the Medici. Their ruthlessness and drive for power brought two family members to the papacy. Just what was their legacy?
Free entry is by ticket only for any u3a members. Refreshments will be available. Please let me know if you wish to have a ticket.
Maths week
Maths Week is 8th to 13th November and the National u3a will be connecting with two fun events for any members who love maths - regardless of skill level.
Numbers you Eat - Click here for more details and booking form.
Maths activities and Games - Click here for more details and booking form.
In addition, to celebrate, National u3a are also running a prize draw. Break the code to enter the prize draw and win a Rob Eastaway maths book of your choice. Click here to see the puzzle and submit your answers before Wednesday 10th November.
Books for sale
Just a reminder that our two books: WW1 – Life and Times, and The Years of Change 1919 -1946 are still available for purchase. They are ideal presents for friends and family so come along to a monthly meeting to purchase. £6.50 each or £12 for both.
New members coffee morning
The Open Day, and stand at the Alan Mak Community Fair were very successful in recruiting some 100 new members. We are holding a new members' coffee morning on the 4th November for them to meet other new members and some of the committee. It will give us an opportunity to understand what they would like from their membership and why they joined.
Our Facebook page
Social media can be a perfect way of getting word out to the local community about what we do. We have a Facebook page - HIU3A - which we would like more people to use and share. If you have a story about your group, photos that you would like to share then please go on our page – or send them to me and I will add them myself.
November monthly talk
The next monthly talk on 18th November will be: "My Life on the Stage" by John Pitman. John Pitman is a public speaker who has had a life time in drama and is an author. He talks from a lifetime of experience. He aims to give his audience a good time with a laugh or two.
The Coran Foundling project
The Coran foundling project – Voices through Time – is currently gathering information on care through the ages. The u3a is now launching its contribution to the project which will include transcripts and research on the records of the foundlings and staff from the original Foundling Hospital. Registration for the launch meeting has closed early but you can register interest in the project here.
Booster programme
Ensuring that we are all protected as much as possible against serious COVID19 infection is key to us continuing to meet face to face. I therefore urge you to book your booster vaccination as soon as you are eligible (normally 6 months after your second vaccination). If you meet the timescale criteria please book on line here or phone 119. You do not need wait until you are contacted.
Julie Taylor
Chair, Hayling Island u3a