Chairman’s Introduction
Texts here were copied from past newsletters.
Welcome to our first Newsletter by way of the ether. The committee felt it was better in our current circumstances to try this method and we would appreciate your feedback. Apart from some groups being able to continue by Zoom there has been very limited activity of necessity. We are investigating trying a Zoom general meeting as Mary is discussing with one of our speakers his giving his talk in this way.
National U3A News
The 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Third Age Trust will be held online on the
29th September and all U3A members are welcome to attend.
To keep up to date with the multitude of on line activities please visit
https://www.u3a.org.uk/
Fetcham U3A Groups
Group Co-ordinator
It is very strange that if we do not meet in person, checking up on the Group activities can be just a little difficult. This is one reason why we as a committee are sending to all members what many groups have been doing since lockdown.
Proposed New Groups
Here are some proposed groups which need a beginning:
- FAMILY HISTORY FOR COMPLETE BEGINNERS
- HOLIDAY BASIC LANGUAGE ie FRENCH, SPANISH, GERMAN AND ITALIAN
- SWIMMING FOR GENTLEMEN AT THE GRANGE
- COOKERY 2
- SUNDAY LUNCH CLUB 5
- PATCHWORK
If you feel you would like to help run one of these groups please contact any member of the committee or myself where we will be only too pleased to help you.
Ann C
Allotment Group
Basically we have been able to keep as normal as going to allotments was allowed as our ‘exercise’. And we could talk to each other at conveniently spaced social distance. I would say that generally we, in common with most gardeners, have given our crops more TLC than usual, with the reward of better crops.
We currently haven’t any vacancies on the U3A plot, and the Keswick Road allotments currently have no spare plots, and a waiting list (since the virus arrived).
Hugh B
Beer Group
We are very much in limbo because we have 20+ members and normally use Fetcham Village Hall for our main meetings for tastings and a buffet lunch. Of course the hall has been, and still is, closed. I am hoping that we will be able to begin some low key meetings very soon with limited numbers “al fresco” at a local craft brewery with a bring your own picnic and take-out beer direct from the brewery (and a walk to make it a healthy option!). Meanwhile, I can thoroughly recommend “Lockdown Pale Ale” from the New Invention Brewery or “Lockdown Lager” from Brewdog. Of course “Corona” the famous Mexican beer, drunk with a slice of lime stuck in the neck of the bottle, has been around for a lot longer than the virus – I bet their marketing department is not that happy though!
Larry R
And what has your committee been up to?
Great Endeavours
Along with the rest of the committee, I have been endeavouring to plan and execute events for all our members. Unfortunately though, as one would expect at this moment, we get so far with the organising then the anticipated event has to be cancelled. Then off we go again on the next one. One of which was of course our holiday to Ironbridge, which should have taken place in May. This involved a lot of discussion, both with the participants and the travel agents before finally, very sadly, throwing in the towel and cancelling. However we did eventually receive our refund cheques, which I had great pleasure in driving around and delivering most of these in person to your doors. This gave me the opportunity to have a chat with folk and ascertain that you were all well and surviving ‘lockdown’. I have been occupying myself by administering a haircut to myself, TWICE. On reflection I suppose that I could have offered my services to other members, though notably nobody suggested I did! I am happy to have been able to show a few folk a new very small area of Bookham to walk in, that very few folk seem to realise existed and is usually almost people-free, so not many, if any, folk to ‘distance’ from. We are now, looking forward to building up a programme of events for you all, again sooner rather than later.
Brenda K – Committee Member
Membership Secretary
This is easy, the job description is in the title. I enrol new members, sending them the forms to be filled in and await their return with the subscription, which is passed to the Treasurer. Membership numbers are updated, and the committee informed. The Chairman does try and welcome new members to their first monthly meeting. I am also responsible for sending to all members the latest news/information by a “Newsflash”. The busy time is in November and December when membership renewal takes place. Here I feel a little “moan” is in order. I find it a bit frustrating when I am still chasing people 3 months later at the end of January. I know that some members take a break in November, but they usually let me know and I am happy to wait until they return. BUT some of you just keep putting it off and it takes a lot of effort and phone calls with reminders to get to the end. PLEASE, PLEASE renew promptly this year. Thank you.
Mick J
We always confirm contributions. If you do not receive a confirmation of your contribution please check with the Editor.
Articles and items for April 2021 Newsletter should be with Judy O by the 1 March 2021 please.
Editor this issue: John C
Cover Design: John W
Support editor: Judy O