Newsletter No 157

June 2020

e-Newsletter

Spire U3A Salisbury

June 2020 Irregular Issue 157

SINCE I last wrote to you ‘Bang Up’ has been extended, the instructions have changed from Stay Home to Stay Alert and it is all getting a bit tedious. But I hope that some of the suggestions for keeping occupied given in Issue 156 have been of use to you.   

Going out is not like it used to be but there are worse places to be confined than Salisbury no doubt. The library is shut, St Thomas’s secondhand book sales have ceased but there is still the free book exchange in Britford Lane……just look for the pale green ‘rabbit hutch,’ when you are out for your daily walk. I am missing the twice weekly trips to the market for provisions but deliveries from the Happy Fruiter are making up for that. I have been a home baker for 40 years and was afraid that might have to change but with Britford Farm Shop taking orders for flour and yeast we are still able to enjoy fresh baked bread too. You too have found new ways of keeping going, I hope. And the weather has been pretty good; we mustn’t complain.

Salisbury is as good a place to be as any.

By the time we get back to our monthly meetings we may not recognise one another. We may all, men and women alike, have ponytails. I had a serendipitous find in the bottom of a crate that has remained unpacked since we moved two years ago: two hairclips to keep my fringe out of my eyes. I even wondered about a home perm. Remember TWINK anyone? New hairstyles apart, if you have been faithfully following Mr Motivator’s U3A exercise sessions on youtu.be we shall all be superfit.

Committee meetings are now ‘virtual.’ This enables essential matters to be dealt with without breaching government guidelines. Items from the Chairman and Treasurer are part of this mailing.

Sadly, there can be no firm plans for any normal monthly meetings. Membership Secretary, Mary Robson, says: “Membership cards cannot be printed and distributed until we know what our program will be.”

Meanwhile, you are invited to socialise over a cup of coffee. We can all meet up on Zoom. Choose your favourite mug, brew your coffee, treat yourself to a biscuit or two and sign in. Details below.

That’s enough from me but, until we meet again, remember: Learn, Laugh, Live.

Maureen E Frost

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

As the lockdown eases, I write my annual report from the garden of my home in Barford St Martin, with the birds singing and the sun shining. The last three months have been hard on everyone.

Little did we know that just after our group leaders’ presentations in March, we would be where we are today. I do hope that all of you are well and safe.

The year flew by and we were blessed with a good variety of speakers who took us through the Universe to Canada, the Secret gardens of London and the South Atlantic.

I would like to thank the group leaders for the work they do and encourage you all to get involved with one of the groups. I would also like to see the formation of more groups this coming year, so if you have any expertise in a subject that you can pass on please let me know.

In the absence of an AGM this year, it was decided to ask the the present committee to stay in post for another year. I am pleased they all agreed. We still need a Group Coordinator and a couple of members to welcome newcomers, so please get involved if you can. I would like to welcome Maureen Frost to the team. Maureen will be helping Zelah with the the newsletter and publicity and coordinating our Zoom meetings.

The committee also ran a very successful coffee morning for new members at the Grasmere Hotel in February. My thanks go to all who keep our U3A running, my committee, the door helpers, chair helpers and of course Irene and her coffee helpers. Until we meet again take care, stay safe.
John Holt.

SPIRE U3A TREASURER'S REPORT Y/E 31st March 2020

WHEN the "lockdown" was imposed on March 23rd I had - fortunately - already compiled the 2019/20 accounts on a provisional basis and shortly afterwards received a statement from the bank up to March 24th. By May 8th I had received the following month's statement which enabled the accounts to March 31st to be finalised. The lockdown however prevented the accounts being independently examined and the cancellation of our AGM meant I had not prepared an annual report. This I do so now :-

1. The Gift Aid tax refund of £202.50 was not received until 14th April.

2. Included in the "General Payments" total of £421.31is the sum of £200, being Spire U3A's contribution to the National U3A Day's activities. (now postponed until October by the Third Age Trust.) I have "added this back" to the 31st March 2020 balances, so it will appear in this year's balance sheet i.e. for March 31st. 2021.

3. A sum of £1000 has been transferred from our current account to the business account.

Stuart Robson, Treasurer.

FROM THE CENTRE

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1. What is Trust U3A?

   Trust U3A is a way to interact with the amazing U3A community online whilst face-to-face contact is limited.
   Launched in April 2020, by the Third Age Trust - the national charity which supports all our U3As - Trust U3A comprises interest groups run by members, for the members, for mutual benefit.
   So far learning groups include Armchair Travellers, Art Appreciation, Arts & Crafts, British Light Music, British Symphonies, Creative Writing, Eco Group, i-phone photography, Philosophy, Recorders, Robotics, Science & Technology and Shakespeare.
   Find out more about Trust U3A by going to https://u3asites.org.uk/trustu3a/home or email secretary@trustu3a.online

   Membership of Trust U3A runs from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021 and costs £7.50.

2. U3A: Keeping In Touch is the Facebook Group that enables U3A members to stay in contact with each other. It is also a place to share ideas that various U3As are using to maintain learning, interests etc.

   On a typical day posts will include serious items and funny things, requests for help to identify a plant or creature, recommendations for online events, reflections on current affairs, photos, videos, quizzes, memories and number puzzles.

   https://www.facebook.com/groups/U3AKeepingInTouch/

3. If you don’t already see it, sign up here for the monthly national newsletter, by email: https://www.u3a.org.uk/newsletter