Falkirk and District U3A eNewsletter
February 2018
From the Chair
Welcome to the February 2018 edition of the newsletter, the first to be edited by our new editor, Bruce Cannon. If you would like any items included in future newsletters please contact Bruce at or by a written note. Contributions from members will be very welcome, though Bruce tells me that he reserves the right to edit material as necessary.
Sam Mauger, Chief Executive Officer of National U3A makes the following observation in her introduction to a new National newsletter which is worth repeating here:
“From time to time U3As contact me to ask about encouraging people to come forward for their committees either as committee members or to volunteer to help at meetings, with newsletters, mailings, offering friendship to new members and much more .
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Sometimes U3As have hundreds of members but few helping hands. Every one of you will have many gifts and talents and interests so if you haven’t thought about offering them to your committee before, perhaps this could be a New Year’s 'gift to your U3A. Be bold, we need you all!”
This very informative newsletter is available on the national website
As always, I am always pleased to receive feedback on any issues relating to U3A by email
Glenn Merrett
Open Meeting – Tuesday, 6th February, 2018
This month’s meeting in St Xavier’ Church Hall, 1 Hope Street, Falkirk, FK1 5AT, at 2.30 pm will feature a talk by Pat Clark, a retired head teacher, “People, Places and Piazzas. The Life and Art of Charles H. Mackie” ajourney with a largely forgotten Scottish artist, to encounter his family, fellow artists and countries he visited. The talk is illustrated to show his paintings, prints and sculpture, as a preview for a future exhibition.
The meeting will also include a Questions and Answers session on U3A matters. Members can raise questions on any issues, and Glenn and other committee members will be on hand to give as much feedback as possible. We are aiming to make this a regular feature.
Information about dates and times of Open Meetings is always available through the Events tab of our website.
Good wishes
We are pleased to say that our friend Ian Crozier is continuing to recover. We miss his cheery smile at the Open Meetings and look forward to seeing him again soon. Meanwhile, we send him our very best wishes for a full recovery.
Flu outbreaks – now and then
We are all too aware of the flu epidemic currently attacking our country. Every TV and News bulletin seems to carry reports on over-stretched medical centres and A&E Departments. However, bad as it may be, the current outbreak bears no comparison with the disastrous flu pandemic that swept over Europe at the end of the First World War and later. The death toll was enormous. In Scotland, initial estimates for deaths amounted to 17,575 while In Britain, as a whole, the numbers were a startling 228,000
Our Local History Group are looking at the impact of the outbreak on Falkirk. They have asked members to find out if any of their ancestors were victims. Louise Westall, leader of the group, would welcome information from anyone in U3A who has information that would help the Group’s work. Her email is
Focus on -- Current Affairs
The Group meets every two weeks to discuss political developments in Scotland, the UK and abroad. There has been no shortage of topics this session but as a matter of policy the Group also tries to follow a theme of its own choosing. The topic this year is Crime and Punishment with individual members researching various aspects of the theme for presentation to the Group.
Focus on -- Lunch Club
The Club provides a friendly opportunity to meet fellow members and friends over lunch.It is part of the U3A social experience. The group goes to different restaurants and hotels in the Falkirk area. Wherever possible they will be accessible by public transport. Meals on offer are usually 2-3 course “specials” to keep the cost reasonable. Danny Pace, leader of the Group, will be pleased to answer any questions about the lunches via his email .
Following, the cancellation of the last lunch due to wintry weather, Danny writes: “I hope everyone has recovered from the disappointment of missing out on the visit to Bennie T's. The next lunch will be at The Orchard Hotel in the centre of Falkirk on 13th Feb. 2018 at the usual time 12.00 for 12.30 hrs. The hotel has limited parking behind the premises but I will send details with my reminder email to members”.
U3A Summer School
In these chilly days, it is good to learn that arrangements for the U3A Scotland Summer School 2018 are well under way. Open to all U3A members, it will be held from Tuesday to Thursday, August21-23, 2018. It is a residential event held in West Park Conference Centre, 319 Perth Road, Dundee
Depending on demand, the topics this year will be: Genealogy for Beginners, Hands on Craft at Dundee Contemporary Arts, Geology, American History, and Ecology. The cost for the full residential package is £295 pp. There are separate rates for those who wish to attend on a daily basis. Booking forms, booking notes, details of topics and overview of summer school are now available on the U3A in Scotland website. (See link on Falkirk U3A website)
Awards for Scottish U3As
Belated congratulations to Forth Valley and Dundee U3As for gaining awards for their work. Forth Valley received an Outstanding Achievement in Health and Wellbeing Award from Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise for their cultural activities project in care homes (CACH) which aims to: provide stimulating activities and cultural opportunities for residents of care homes.
The Dundee U3A Ukulele Group, DeeUkes, has been awarded the Chorus Community Music Award 2017 in the category The Music Cure – Music and Health. The award is from the national organisation, Hands Up for Trad, which promotes traditional music from all around Scotland. Dee Ukes were shortlisted against two other groups and put forward for a public vote.
Tailpiece - from the Editor
You know you are not so young as you used to be when…
Your grandchildren study things as history that you studied as current events
Your children begin to look middle-aged
You feel it’s like the morning after, but you haven’t been anywhere the night before
Your back goes out more than you do.
You can’t stand people who are intolerant