The last couple of messages from the Chairman, prepared for the Grange and District u3a quarterly newsletter are below:
November 2024
Dear Members,
This year seems to have flown by and the u3a goes from strength to strength - our membership currently stands at 523.... last October it was 489. We think that we must be getting things about right but if you have any suggestions for ways to improve what we do, please let the committee know.
The organisation is yours - run by members for you, the membership.
I am delighted to announce that in January Ged Jones will be returning to his position as our Secretary. On your behalf I would like to thank Susan for so ably fulfilling the many tasks required in this role and also Margaret Brennand, for so efficiently stepping into the breach as Minutes Secretary.
It is gratifying to report that my request for volunteers to assist John and Jane Davis with refreshments was successful - thank you to new volunteers and to ' old hands' who are happy to continue. The committee is very grateful to you all for your hard work.
The role of webmaster will soon be taken over by Sue Gill, after her training period with Phil Nicholson is complete. A huge thank you is due to Phil for his hard work over the years and for facilitating the handover to Sue.
We remember all u3a members who are no longer with us but it was with great sadness that I represented the u3a at the funeral of Malcolm McIvor, a long- standing member and former Chairman.
I had only known Malcolm fairly recently but was very grateful to him for his willingness to give talks for me when I was Speaker - Finder. Many of us will remember his sitting in the shelter along the driveway of the Cumbria Grand, checking us in with a smile on one of his orienteering courses around the grounds. Malcolm had a remarkable life and it was a privilege to have known such a kind and generous man. He will be greatly missed.
At our final Monthly Meeting of the year, on December 17th, we will be entertained by the Sands Band and will enjoy Christmas refreshments.
Please come along to help us celebrate the end of another successful year and look forward to 2025.
With very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year,
Hilary Wade.
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September 2024
Dear Members,
I am writing this in glorious sunshine after a dreadful afternoon yesterday. What a good thing that the Classic Car Event was blessed with superb weather. You will see from the photo below that we again had a presence at the show and thanks are due to Janet and Ameer Tabarandak for sourcing our u3a banner - very successfully in use for the first time - to Brian Loader and Patricia Thomas and particularly to Mick and Lin Love, who manned the stand all day.
Many people were interested in our display and were amazed at the number and variety of groups on offer. Some expressed a strong interest in joining us which is very heartening. It transpired that one visitor was a former CEO of The Third Age Trust and was very impressed by our presence at the event, by the display, and by our amazing number of groups.
As I write, our membership is 508, a big increase on when I joined nearly 10 years ago. We hope that our u3a provides access to many activities in which you want to participate - or if you simply like to attend the monthly talks and socialise, don't forget that if there's a gap in provision, the u3a ethos is ' start another group.'
As we haven't met at a General Meeting in August , you have maybe had a little time to reflect on the opportunity which still exists to assist Michael in his role as treasurer. Please give this your earnest consideration and approach any of the committee if you are able to help.
All good wishes for the coming season,
Hilary Wade