News & Group Updates

For the latest Chairman’s Report click HERE

PUBLICITY OFFICER

We are looking for a member willing to take on the role of Publicity Officer. This will involve a small amount of work to publicise our events in both the Third Age Trust magazine and local press. We would also like to produce a leaflet on Cheltenham U3A to let people know what we do and dispel the University myth. It does not have to be a committee position but could be. Please contact me at  [email protected]  or phone to discuss the role; my number is at the front of the newsletter.

 ‘Untuneful’ Choir

There has been a good level of interest in this new group but we need somebody willing and able to lead it.  Is there anyone out there who might able to make this new group a success?

Know your Cheltenham

Tony Ridlington has delighted us all with images of our local area for many years, but would now like to pass the baton on to a successor.  Would somebody be willing to take on this role?

New Birding Group

Several people signed up for a new Birding Group following the specialist talk in July, but nobody feels confident to run the group, even with help from Cheltenham Bird Club.  Could you be the person to get this new group off the ground?

To express interest or for further information please contact Lynne Macedo below.

The Church has addressed this problem to the Council.

Consequently the Council have agreed to remove the restrictive Kerb markings outside the Library.

This now means that Blue Badge Holders can park in those spaces. Remember the road is now 2 Way and parking is not allowed directly outside the entrance to the church.

Di Kyte  U3A Social Secretary

The year is already half way through. They say time goes much quicker the older you are, I can now agree, the first half of the year has flashed by.

Those who came to the last open meeting will have noticed that Clarence Street was being converted to 2 way traffic, resulting in markings on the pavement so that there would not be any parking for blue badge holders apart from the disabled parking box outside the library, which is restricted to one hour.  The Church has taken this up with the Council and it is going to be eased on the Library side of the road, so blue badge holders will be able to park on double yellow lines.  I am also very concerned that the nearest car park, which is behind the Library, has been closed, and only the part near the High Street left open.  If you feel strongly, as I do, that we need a car park at this end of town, can I suggest that as many of us as possible write to Cheltenham Borough Council, Car Parks Department and complain about the closure of this useful car park?

I am pleased to report that tickets are selling well for the Summer Tea Party and I would advise members to book up as soon as possible for Saturday 20^th July, before they sell out.

Can I also encourage members to consider coming to the Special Interest Day being organised by Cotswold Link on Thursday 11^th July, 2019 at The Pavilion in Hatherley Lane?  The theme this year is ‘Engineering the Future’, which is quite an exciting change from last year.  I already have my tickets and am looking forward to it very much.  I think you will find there will be something of interest for most people.  Details for booking were in the May/June newsletter and should be in this one as well.

As I have said before, members are welcome to contact me preferably by email, but phone if necessary with any queries etc.

Maggie Conu 

May 2019

Boules (Petanque)

The group continues to flourish.  We meet on Monday and Wednesday mornings in Sandford Park, prepared for games to start at 10:00 a.m.

The most popular playing season is during the spring and summer, but we are a hardy lot, and there were those who wanted to continue playing, braving chillier weather so some of  the group continued to play throughout the winter.

We took the bold move to enter the local Cotswold Petanque League.  This means that those who want to, can now play in competition against the players from the best boules clubs in the area.  It means that we also get to play on different surfaces, which is a very satisfying experience for the team members.  Our performance so far has justified our entry, but winning the final this year is unlikely!

For those who want to emphasise the social nature of the group, a day of play and picnic is being organised soon, so we can enjoy a melee and a meal, in the park.

Some of the group are now confident enough to buy their own boules, which frees up the U3A boules for use by newcomers.  We continue to be able to equip all players with boules and jacks, so members should not feel discouraged about coming to try out the game.

Several of us will be attending the next Members on Their Own meeting, to assess whether a special taster game is appropriate.  This may grow into a regular feature for MOTO group members.

Nigel Gilhead

Proposed New Group on Genetic Genealogy

This will be a group for those who have taken a DNA test and wish to share computational techniques and tools

for exploiting and analysing the results to help their family history research.

The first meeting will take place on Thursday 25th July at 2pm at the leader’s home, subsequent monthly meetings will be

arranged to suit attendees.

Please contact Lynne Macedo for further information.

Your committee are seeking a member with experience of Health and Safety or prepared to learn.  We need someone to check meeting places to make sure they are safe for our members and report back to the committee

COMMITTEE MEMBER NEEDED

 We wish to co-opt an extra Committee member to assist Lynne Macedo in her role as Group Co-ordinator. This will involve supporting the organisation of existing groups and helping her to start new groups.

Please contact Maggie Conu for further information.