November 2015
We welcome the following new members to our
group:
Programme 2015 & 2016
2nd November 2015
Wildlife through the Seasons - by John Buckingham
Sally Sinclair: from Bexhill-on-Sea. Sally lists Singing and
Reading amongst her interests.
7th December 2015
Annual General Meeting &
Christmas Party and lunch
Margaret Newton: from Battle. Art Appreciation, Music,
Walking and Travel are listed as her interets.
Sally Dickinson: from Herstmonceaux. History, Films,
Walking and Reading are some of Sally’s interests.
4th January 2016 - No meeting
Jean Burton: from Battle, Garden visits, Lunch Group, Out
& About and Theatre Outings are listed as Jean’s interests.
1st February 2016
Ray Broomsfield – London childhood 1940-45
Beatrice (Bea) Morris: from Battle, interests include
Theatre, Films, Books, Gardening, Wildlife, Eating Out.
7th March 2016
Are you sitting comfortably my Career at the BBC by Dr Sheila Innes
Raymond Tindal: from Battle
Angela Tidmarsh: from Battle, Walking, Family History,
Outings, Gardens, Knitting and Book Club are amongst their
interests.
4th April 2016
History of the Happy Ballroom
Hastings Pier – 1960-1980
Andrê Palfrey-Martin
Helen Stainfield: from Staplecross, Walking, Bridge,
Outings Gardens, Book Club and Current Affairs are some of
Helen’s interests.
Peter Merry: from Robertsbridge, Peter lists Walking,
Photography and Sailing amongst his interests.
9th May 2016
The impact of WW1 On Society - Delia Taylor
Michael Saunders: from Battle, Computing, Dog Walking
are listed as Michael’s interests.
6th June 2016
The Day the Music Died - Michael Grillo
Pamela Saunders; from Battle, Pamela’s interests include
Dressmaking, Machine Knitting, Card Making, Theatre,
Bowling, Beginners Bridge and Petanque.
4th July 2016
The American Revolutionary War
(and involvement of Sussex folk) – Peter Lovatt
Fiona Bowers: from Bexhil-on-Sea, Drama, History and
Gardening are some of Fiona’s interests
August – no meeting
Brian Watmore: Battle, Current Affairs, History and
Economics.
5th September 2016
Speaker contacted – details to be confirmed
Larry Fellows: from Battle. Larry lists historical, scientific
and architectural things among his interests.
3rd October 2016
Barbara Fellows: from Battle likes anything ‘unusual’.
Carole Oaten: from Sedlescombe, previously a member in
Surrey, Carole enjoys; Book groups’, rambling,
Shakespeare, history and Beginners drawing.
7th November 2016
Tom Crean – Unsung Hero of Antarctic Exploration
– Michael Smith
Joan Neech: from Hastings, Joan lists Walking, Jewellery
making and Poetry as her interests.
5th December 2016
Annual General Meeting &
Christmas Party
Nicholas Miller: from Hastings, Languages, Travel,
Geography and Gardening are among his interests.
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Short Walks Group
September’s walk near Highwoods, Little Common
S.U.N (Sussex U3A
Network)
NOTICE BOARD
The full list of the Study Day
programme is on the SUN website which can be
accessed via a link on the Battle U3A’s website. There
is the possibility that a further ‘write your own life
story’ workshop will be run. If you wish to register your
interest, please follow the link, also on the SUN
website.
If anyone has either a Study day or a Workshop which
they would like to see put on, let me know so that I can
pass it on to the SUN Executive.
Finally if anyone who is interested in attending either a
Study Day or Workshop would like to join with others
for transport, let me know and I will try to facilitate.
Below October’s walk near Brightling with one of Mad
Jack’s Follies in the background.
Jill Papaioanno
Remaining Study Day Programme 2015-2016
(full details as above)
Saturday 14th November – Rustington
Psychology: An Introduction to the Brain and the
Senses. Duncan Carmichael and Giles Hamilton
Fletcher.
Saturday 12th December – Crowborough
Thomas Hardy and Rural Life. Geoff Doel
Saturday 16th January 2016
Jazz – the Sound of Surprise. Mike Head
Photographs by Gill Sutherland
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Social Events 2016
One of the events in the
pipeline will be a celebration
for the Queens 90th Birthday,
sometime around the actual day
which is 21st April 2016.
If you have ideas for any other Social Events please contact
one of the Committee.
Are you one of the few who have
forgotten to renew their annual
subscription? If so please send it to
Kathy Rumsby as soon as possible.
Membership renewal forms were
sent out with the September Newsletter
Many thanks
Saturday 13th February – Pulborough
Fifty Years of Changing Britain 1942 – 1992
Gillian Pitt.
Saturday 12th March – Seaford
Mathematics in Action. Dr Roger Luther
Saturday 16th April – Crowborough
The Treasurers of Music. John Hursey
Saturday 14th May – Steyning
The Changing Landscape of Victorian and Edwardian
England c1830-1914, with examples from Sussex.
Dr Sue Berry
Jill Papaioannou.
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Beetle Drive – 23rd September 2015
A huge ‘Thank You’ to Gill Sutherland for organising
and acting as ‘MC’ for this delightful afternoon’s fun.
Jo Halfhide wrote ..‘About thirty two members gathered together at
Catsfield
Village Hall. What a great time we had Gill kept us well under control
as we
were a noisy bunch. Twelve games played in all with a break for a
delicious
tea provided by the local WI. Gill reminded us of the rules which may
have
changed slightly since our youth. A chance to meet new people and to
learn a
little about
them, both U3A members and their visitors, this achieved by the winners and losers at each table
moving in opposite directions at the end of each game. Unexpected prizes were awarded
which added to the fun. More please – Jo Halfhide’
Highest score - lst prize: £10 M&S voucher was won by Eileen Beaven;
2nd prize: £5 M &S voucher was won by Jo Halfhide;
Lowest score prize: Wooden spoon with skilful artwork by Terry Austen (see photo) was won by Janet Wood.
Photos by Gil Sutherland
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The next Social Event – ‘Thanksgiving’ Barn Dance
Wednesday 25th November 2015
at Ninfield Memorial Hall (TN33 9EE) 2:30pm – 5pm - tickets £5 to include a
‘Thanksgiving’ themed tea. Caller and music - Janice Bolton
Autumn 2015 Speakers
October
September
The leaflets from Dementia UK with contact
details for the Admiral Nurses unfortunately
arrived too late for the October meeting, the
contact details are;
Admirial Nursing Direct 0845 257 9406
direct@dementiauk.org
o
o
o
Information and support for family
carers, people with dementia and
professionals
Provided by experienced Admiral
Nurses
Available by telephone and email.
They have now sent a few leaflets
which will be available at the
November meeting.
I do so hope that everyone at the October
meeting enjoyed the fascinating talk given
by Tim McDonald about ‘Bulverhythe and
the wreck of the Amsterdam’ as much as I
did.
For those not able to attend, Tim’s excellent
talk was illustrated with delightful photographs of the Hastings and St
Leonards-on-Sea coastal area familiar to many of us.
I’m sure I wasn’t the only one ignorant about the geology and formation
of that part of our coast and the stories it continues to tell.
Many thanks to the U3A member who recommended Tim as a Speaker.
One of our members handed Tim a folder
containing some very interesting material
concerning the Amsterdam. He was unable to
thank him or, equally importantly, find out his
name. Tim would like to establish contact so
please let me know if it was you.
Terri Coombs
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Saturday Evening Group
Petanque Group 2
As you all probably know we have set up a
new Petanque Group as there had been a lot of interest
shown.
After the initial few games had been played we decided
to increase the number of games from two weekly to
every week starting in the new Season.
We have also decided to limit the numbers in the group
to twenty to allow everyone to have a game or two. This
will be on a first come first served basis.
The season starts on April 1st. 2016 and goes on
through until the end of October 2016
We will be meeting every Friday at The White Hart in
Netherfield starting at 10.30am.
You have to provide your own Boules but these are very
reasonable and we can give you the information on
where to can purchase them.
If anyone is interested would you please contact
Wendy McCarthy
This group has been running for
about a year. It is primarily for
singles who sometimes may find themselves
at a loose end on Saturday evenings, and we
are keen to invite more people to join us in
our varied range of activities. At present
there is quite a gender imbalance,
with ladies rather outnumbering the men however both ladies and men would all be
very welcome.
Everyone who may be interested in joining
us are invited to come to a gathering at
Alan Olin's house at 7.00pm.on the evening
of Saturday 14 November at which we will
plan our programme of monthly activities
for the following 3 or more months.
Battle & District U3A Committee
Life President: Professor John Stringer
Chairman: - Angela Reid
Vice Chairman: - Jean Wells
Secretary: - Valerie Bailey
Treasurer: David Unsworth
Groups Co-ordinator: Julia Gaveglia
Membership Secretary: Kathryn Rumsby
Newsletter Editor: Terri Coombs
S-U-N Representative: Jill Papaioannou
Committee Member: Pat Tooke
Committee Member: Colin Beail
Committee Member: Gill Sutherland
Christmas Party – (Members only)
Following the AGM on 5th December
members will celebrate Christmas early with
a shared buffet lunch party.
We do need to know how many plan to
attend the ‘lunch’, therefore would you
kindly sign one of the clip boards that will be
at the ‘reception’ table at the November
meeting.
Each member should bring a
small plate of finger food to
share at the buffet, if you can
say what you plan to bring so much the
better. Both savoury and sweet items are
needed but not too many mince pies and
sausage rolls please.
If you are unable to attend the November
meeting but plan to attend the AGM and
lunch please let me know.
Terri Coombs
Speakers Sub-Committee;
Terri Coombs, Colin Beail & Pat Tooke
If you have ideas for Speakers kindly pass the information to one
of the Sub-Committee Members detailed above.
Website administrator: Kathryn Rumsby
Web site www.u3asites.org.uk/battle
Newsletter: Terri Coombs
N.B. Last date for contribution for the next Newsletter
Saturday 17th January 2016
Please note: Kathryn Rumsby – Membership Secretary
Should be advised of any change of title, address or telephone
number for our records and for her to notify Head Office for the
National U3A Magazine
The U3A Committee exists to serve you. If you have a concern or
would like a matter raised at a Committee Meeting please speak to
one of the Committee Members.
4
Annual General Meeting 2015
Nomination forms are enclosed with this Newsletter for the election of Officers and Committee members.
All Officers and members of the committee are elected for a one year term, with the exception of the Treasurer
whose term is two years, those willing to continue for a further year need to be nominated and re-elected.
Chairman:
Vice Chairman:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Groups Co-ordinator:
Membership Secretary:
Newsletter Editor:
S-U-N Representative:
Committee Member:
Committee Member:
Committee Member:
Angela Reid - willing to continue for a further year
Jean Wells
Valerie Bailey - willing to continue for a further year
David Unsworth - willing to continue for one more year only
Julia Gaveglia - willing to continue for one more year only
Kathryn Rumsby – standing down this year
Terri Coombs - willing to continue for one more year only.
Jill Papaioannou - willing to continue for a further year
Pat Tooke - willing to continue for a further year
Colin Beail – standing down this year
Gill Sutherland - willing to continue for a further year
Role of the Membership Secretary:
1. Handle enquiries from prospective and present members.
2. Enrol new members and ensure they are provided with information about activities they can engage in.
3. Collect Annual Subscriptions
4. Maintain a register of members details for the computer database.
Kathy has a longer definitive list of Membership Secretary procedures if anyone would like a copy.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Chairman’s Report
Battle and District U3a has continued to thrive in 2015 with another programme of excellent speakers. We have
continued to attract new members to our group and our monthly meetings attract up to 100 members. We have
taken some extra space in the Memorial Hall where coffee is served so that members can have more room to
socialise before the meeting starts.
We have 28 special interest groups. Whilst some groups have discontinued during the year, six new groups have
started: Table tennis, Garden visiting, Knit and Natter, Ukulele, a second Pétanque group and a second Book group.
It is always encouraging when there is enthusiasm to start and run a new group as it shows that our group is thriving
and growing.
Your Committee decided to try a new idea for 2015: to arrange four events for all the membership in addition to
our monthly meeting. Our four events turned into five events as we were encouraged by the support for the events.
We started with visits to the Houses of Parliament, next a very successful Barn Dance. We celebrated the 800th
anniversary of the Magna Carta with a Strawberry Libertea and the autumn season started with a riotous Beetle
Drive. We will be ending our year of events with a Thanksgiving Barn Dance on 25 November. The feedback we have
had from those who have come along to these events is that they have been really enjoyable.
We have been able to keep the annual subscription at the same level as in 2014. Our costs have been contained by
being able to use email rather than post to reach a high proportion of our membership with consequent cost
savings.
This year we have been lucky to have a full committee with new members recruited to our number. I am grateful to
the Committee for all their support and hard work during the year in particular the work and enthusiasm for our
endeavour of introducing the extra events for the whole membership. Behind the scenes there are many people
who make our meetings run smoothly by making coffee, setting up the hall, putting chairs away, rescuing your
Chair when the sound system is temperamental! Then there are the group leaders who facilitate our special
interest groups and finally you, the membership for supporting U3A. Thank you to you all for making our U3A a
successful, friendly place to be.
Angela Reid
Chair Battle and District U3A
5
BATTLE AND DISTRICT U3A - MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Held Monday, 1st December, 2014, at the Memorial Hall, Battle
1.
Present: The Battle & District U3A Committee comprising;
David Unsworth
Treasurer
Angela Reid
Appointed Acting Chairman
Kathy Rumsby
Appointed Acting Secretary and Membership Secretary
Pat Tooke
Appointed Acting Vice Chairman
Terri Coombs
Newsletter Editor
Lorna Bird
SUN Rep
Julia Gaveglia
Group Co-ordinator
Colin Beail
Committee Member
Plus 77 members.
2.
Apologies for absence. Apologies were received from: Shirley Jordon, Lyndsay Mills, Andrew & Sue Hardy, Ken Rainbow,
John Stringer, Glenys Griffiths and David Hughes.
3.
Minutes of the AGM held on 2nd December, 2013. The Minutes had been circulated with the November newsletter and
there being no objection David Unsworth signed these as correct.
4.
Matters Arising. There were no matters arising.
5.
Chairman’s Report. Angela Reid – Acting Chairman, said that the highlight of the group’s year was the 10th Anniversary
Celebration in October. The Sun workshop held in Battle on Painters and Music was also a very successful day.
The 2013 AGM had left the Committee with a few problems in that the only Officer elected to post had been the Treasurer.
A visit to the spring committee meeting by the South East Representative from Head Office ensured that Acting Officers were
appointed from existing members of the Committee and the committee endeavoured to manage the smooth running of the
group. Angela thanked the team of people who provide the tea and coffee at the beginning of the monthly meetings,
particularly Jo Cooper who had organised the rota for several years but who had to relinquish this role due to health reasons.
Lorna Bird had agreed to take over this task. Lorna Bird had been the SUN Representative for several years but has now
relinquished this task, a new Representative will be appointed by the new Committee.
Angela offered her thanks to the Committee for their help during the year.
6.
Proposed Changes to the Constitution
1. 7 (iii) Officers and Committee members shall serve a period of one year.
2. Retiring officers may stand for re-election provided that no-one may hold the office of
Chairman or Vice-Chairman for more than four consecutive terms without an intervening
period of at least one year except that a retiring Vice-Chairman may stand immediately for the
post of Chairman
The proposed changes to the Constitution were explained in detail by David Unsworth. Proposed by
Christine Hughes, Seconded by Jo Halfhide, voted on and were agreed by the membership.
7.
Treasurer’s Report and Accounts.
The Treasurer’s report had been circulated to all members with the November newsletter. David Unsworth clarified a
few points from the circulated Report; a) the £1,400 surplus was misleading because subscription income is received
over a period of time. b) 10th Anniversary tickets were sold before the expenses were paid out.
Taking into account the above, subscriptions and other income over the year was just about equal to expenditure.
Nevertheless, the Committee agreed that subscriptions were to remain at £13 because as the Newsletter is now being
sent by email to the majority of the members, the cost of printing and postage had reduced considerably.
8.
Election of Officers and Committee for 2014/2015
The following members were proposed, seconded and elected to the Committee:Proposed by:
Chairman
Angela Reid
David Unsworth
Vice Chairman
Jean Wells
Angela Reid
Secretary
Valerie Bailey
Pat Tooke
Membership Secretary
Kathy Rumsby
Roswitha Carter
Groups Co-ordinator
Julia Gaveglia
Jean Welham
Newsletter Editor
Terri Coombs
Christine Hughes
Committee member
Pat Tooke
Valerie Bailey
Committee member
Colin Beail
Jo Halfhide
Committee member
Gill Sutherland
Colin Beail
Committee member
Jill Papaioannou
Kathy Rumsby
Seconded by:
Kathy Rumsby
Terri Coombs
Julia Gaveglia
Ray Williams
Ann Thorne
Christine Hills
Julia Gaveglia
Maureen Johnson
Maureen Johnson
Christine Hughes
Hon. Treasurer, David Unsworth, had been elected at the 2013 AGM for a two year term.
The Life President Prof John Stringer is a life member of the Committee
8.
Any other Business There being no items for Any Other Business, the 2014 Annual General Meeting was closed.
Terri Coombs
22nd October 2015
6