U3A Harder Walks
Due to limited demand, Beneta has decided to discontinue a pre-arranged programme of walks but is willing to organise a walk if requested by members. Please telephone her on 019467 25381.
Photography Group
Tony has decided to discontinue the group but if anyone is interested and
willing to reconvene it, please make yourself known.
Chairman’s Report
I have come to the end of my final year as Chair. When I took it on, I had no idea that I would be unwell for much of my tenure and I hope this has not affected my chairmanship .I am very grateful to those who helped out and made it all work.
We have achieved a great deal: new members –and welcome to you all – which is particularly important; the establishment of a photography group and the re-establishment of two walking groups; trips to Jedburgh and to Blackwell and Abbots Hall; a lively Summerversary lunch where unsuspected talents were revealed.
The groups are going well and my thanks go to all the leaders. I also want to thank the welcome team, those who serve the coffee and tea, those who always come early to set things out, and of course all who are co-opted to fill in where necessary.
I would especially like to thank George Taylor for his hard work dealing with membership and looking after a lot of our equipment, and John and Judy Hall for all they have done, particularly the production of the newsletter. We all wish John and Judy well in their new home. They will be missed.
It only remains to wish you a very happy New year. You have a new committee to support and anyone who feels they can help – please DO!
New Chairman’s Message
I was pleased to be elected as the new Chairman at the recent AGM. Unfortunately, as one of my first duties I must bring to your attention a worrying situation. Whilst we were able to elect a full number of committee members, we are without two key officers, Vice-Chair and Treasurer. West Lakes U3A cannot function beyond the very short term without a treasurer. Thanks to Alan bell, the essential aspects of the duties have been simplified, so the job is no longer onerous. Please will any member who feels they could take on this job please contact the Chairman.
http://u3asites.org.uk/west-lakes
WEST LAKES
Newsletter
Winter(January) 2016
Chairs past and present.
Please consult the website to check for cancelled meetings or changed speakers as a result of bad weather or illness.
If you do not have internet access, please try to contact a member who has.
0PEN MIND MONTHLY MEETING
Meetings are usually held in Gosforth Public Hall on the third Thursday of each month. Coffee is served from 10.15 until 10.45 when the announcements are made. The main speaker starts just before 11.00a.m. There is a charge of £1.50 to members . Visitors are asked to pay £2.50.
PROGRAMME
January 21st Arctic Explorers. Speaker: David Matthews.
February 18th My life in politics. Sir Tony Cunningham.
March 17th The remarkable history of Parkhead Conventical Chapel.
Richard Brockington.
April 21st The dialect in “Wuthering Heights.” Dr. Malcolm Petyt.
Special Interest Groups
All members of West Lakes U3A are eligible to join any of these groups. You may need to register with the organiser to receive information routinely from that group.
History Group
Our meetings, which are mainly concerned with historical topics linked to Cumbria, are held at Drigg Village Hall on the first Wednesday of each month. Refreshments are served from 10.15 until 10.45, when announcements are made.
The speaker begins at 11.00 a.m.
January 6th English rural life in the middle ages. Ms June Hall.
February 3rd Waiter, miner, butcher, spy. Australians in Cumbria
during the first world war. Dr. Rob David.
March 2nd The Saints of Cumbria. Rev. Cameron Butland.
April 6th Knickers– A brief history. Mrs Pat Martin.
Art Appreciation
All meetings take place in St. Joseph’s Church Hall in Seascale, starting at 10.45a.m. Refreshments served from 10.15a.m.
January 14th After the Renaissance – What came next?
February 11th Towards the Baroque.
March 10th The view from the North.
April 14th Rococo to Neo-Classicism.
For more details, please contact organiser Jean Taylor. (019467)28713.
Singing for Fun
Regular meetings are on the first Thursday of each month from 2.30 – 4p.m. at St. Mary’s Rooms, Gosforth, at 2.30p.m. First meeting 7th January.
Contact: Xandra (019467)25794.
Discovery Group
The group meets at 10.15 for 10.45a.m. in St. Mary’s Room, Gosforth. It considers a broad range of science and technological subjects at a level that does not require detailed technical knowledge.
January 27th Developments on La’al Ratty. Peter Van Zeller.
The workshop fire and its aftermath.
February 24th The work of a National Park Ranger. Rec Cathrey.
Including the Dalgarth Access Project.
March 23rd Motoring in the 60s and 70s. Malcolm Bobbitt.
April 27th Recent developments at the low level waste repository at Drigg. A technical manager.
Discussion Group
This group will reconvene at 10.30a.m. on Tuesday 19th January, with new ideas and interests.
Reading Group.
Meets on 4th Thursday of each month. Group full. Please contact Jean Taylor to join a waiting list.
Mah Jong
We are suspending play until 22nd February because, regretfully, we are unable to host it until then.
U3A Easy Walks
We have received requests for even easier walks, so as an experiment the following programme includes some shorter walks which, as far as possible, avoid uphill sections and stiles. We have also tried to include some historical interest. Starting time 10.00a.m. unless otherwise stated.
January 15th Drigg Dunes. Meet at the parking area near the beach.
Approx. 1 – 1.5 miles, tide dependent.
February19th Egrement town walk. Start at public car park.(Pay) Places of interest and town history.
March 18th Netherwasdale. From the Walker’s car park to Gill Farm,
Buckbarrow Farm and Mill Place. Approx.3 miles.
April15th Eskdale. Park at Dalegarth Station.(Pay) Walk via Trough House Bridge, the new permissive path, the bridle way to St. Catherine’s church and Parson’s Passage. App: 2 miles.
For further details or to check for information in case of adverse weather phone Joan McIntosh, (019467)254