Newsletter -
April 2015 -
Number 95
I wonder how many saw the article in the Times newspaper on 7th April about the U3A
entitled”The college that truly stretches the grey matter.” It gave a brief account of the origin
of the U3A, and its current structure. The wide range of subjects available for study was
noted, and reference made to the principle of groups teaching themselves: “if there is a
demand for a course in which no one has any expertise, members will buy a book and teach
themselves.” Sounds familiar?
Barbara Lewis, the Trust’s Chairwoman, is quoted as saying that the U3A is successful
because “there is nothing else like it.” Well, we know that too!
This leads me naturally to a reminder that the AGM takes place this Thursday after the
usual Open Meeting. Members are cordially invited to stay on and participate in the
demoncratic process of running the Burnley & District U3A.
John Hartley is retiring as Treasurer and Jacquie Devlin is retiring as Speaker’s secretary.
We thank them both for their long and valued service. Melinda Jackson is nominated for
Treasurer, and John Green for Vice Chair. Nominated for re-election is Margaret Bushby as
Secretary, while Freda Whittle, Gwyn Markin and Marjorie Philp are nominated as
Committee Officers.
Chairman
Regards, Alan Wiseman
PROGRAMME OF OPEN MEETINGS
Meetings are held at the Nazareth Unitarian Chapel, Padiham, BB12 8JH
at 2.30 p.m. on the 4th Thursday in the month. Visitors welcome at a charge of £2.
23rd April - JOANNE HALLIWELL
AN HISTORICAL COMEDY PERFORMANCE
To be followed by the Annual General Meeting
28th May - NICOLA CRAWFORD
MEDICAL DETECTION DOGS
25th June - PROFESSOR GLYN MORTON
MEMBERS’ INTEREST GROUP
ARCHITECTURE:
Rod Wilshaw.
June Meeting - A Talk & Walk in Lancaster. For more details contact
BEGINNERS’ SPANISH: Meet on Tuesdays, 12th & 26th May, from 10 to 12 noon in the
Quiet Room, Central Library, Burnley. Contact Alan Wiseman.
BOOK GROUP: Meet on Monday, 18th May, 10 - noon in the Hameldon Room, Padiham
Unitarian Chapel, to discuss “Lucky Jim” by Kingsley Amis. Contact Margaret Jones.
BRIDGE: Meet at 2.00pm on Thursdays, 30th April & 14th May, at Padiham Unitarian
Chapel. For more details contact Tony Mackie.
CHESS AT COSTA TESCO’S: Meet on Tuesday, 12th May, at 2.00pm in the Costa Café,
Tesco’s. Contact Tony Mackie.
CINEMA GROUP: Contact Val Edmondson for more details..
COMPUTER SKILLS: Next ‘one to one’session on Thursday, 21st May, at 2.00pm at
Padiham Unitarian Chapel. Members requiring help who wish at attend please speak to John
Bridge at the monthly Meeting.
CRAFT WORKSHOP: Meet in Higham Village Hall, 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Thursday 21st
May.
Bring your own craft.
Contact Mary Hartnell.
EXPLORING POETRY TOGETHER: Thursday, 14th May 10 to 11.30 at Coal Clough
Library, Burnley. Bring a favourite poem. Details from Eunice Jackson.
ENGLISH FOLK DANCING: Thursday, 7th May, 2.00 pm in the main hall, at Padiham
Contact
Unitarian Chapel, & Tuesday, 19th May, at 2.00 pm in Higham Village Hall.
Maureen Hartley.
FAMILY HISTORY:
Contact Diana Holden.
HANDBELL RINGING: Meet on Wednesdays, 6th & 20th May, from 2.00 - 3.30 p.m. at St
Leonard’s Church, Padiham. Contact Valerie Widdas.
HISTORY: Tuesday, 5th May, at 10.30am in the Hameldon Room, Padiham Unitarian
Chapel. “Invention - Michael Faraday”. Contact Nic Dennison.
INDOOR BOWLS: Thursdays, 14th & 21st May, at the Best Centre from 10am to 12 noon.
£3.00 per session. Contact Eddie Gullick.
LATIN: Meet at 2.00 pm on Mondays, 11th & 25th May , at 169 Manchester Road.
Burnley. Contact Maureen Hartley.
LOCAL HISTORY: Tuesday, 12th May - Walk round Padiham Cemetery with Brenda
Hayman. Stout footwear needed. Meet at Blackburn Road entrance 10.30am. Tuesday,
26th May - Project Meet in the Hameldon Room, Padiham Unity Centre, 10 - 12noon.
Contact Molly Haine or Margaret Jones.
LUNCHEON CLUB: The next lunch will be on Friday, 15th May, at Towneley Garden
Centre. 12.00 noon for 12.30. Ring Pam Wood to reserve your seat.
MUSIC APPRECIATION: Meet on Thursday, 21st May, at 10.30 am in the Middlesex
Contact Rhoda
Avenue Community Centre. The theme will be “Musical Travels”.
Gouldsbrough for details.
MY STORY: On Wednesday, 13th May, Sue Hughes will talk about “The Royal Maundy”
at 10.30am in the downstairs meeting room at Burnley Central Library,
Refreshments
available. Contact Andrew Gill if you have a story to tell.
OUTINGS: Monday, 4th May, - C.D.S. Little Theatre River St Colne, 7.30pm Cost £7
“Abigail’s Party”. Contact Betsy Stringer. Wednesday, 20th May, Cruise on Skipton Canal.
£25 including coach & lunch. Leave Burnley Bus Station 9.0am, Padiham Town Hall
9.15am. Contact Christine Storey. Wednesday, 24th June - Blackwell Arts & Crafts House,
Windermere - £22 including coach, talk and coffee and cake. Time in Bowness. 9.0am
Burnley Bus Station, 9.15am Padiham Town Hall. Contact Sandra Thompson. Pay at the
Outings table or send cheque payable to ‘Burnley & District U3A’ to John Hartley, Lower Flat,
169 Manchester Road, Burnley BB11 4HR.
PAINTING & DRAWING: Monday, 27th April Tonal Awareness - Shades of Grey - Bring
cartridge paper & charcoal. Mondays, 11th & 25th May, Tonal Awareness in acrylic paints,
Meet in the Middlesex Avenue Community Centre 10 - 12 noon. Details from Jean Sim.
PHILOSOPHY:
Meet on Tuesday, 19th May, 10 - 12 noon, in the Hameldon Room,
Padiham Unitarian Chapel to discuss Karl Marx (Ch 27). For more details contact Margaret
Jones.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Friday, 8th May - Outdoor photo session - meet at Cavendish Street
Car Park, Skipton, at 2.00pm
Contact Janet Clunie.
QUIZ: Monday, 18th May - Meet at 2.00pm in the Hameldon Room, Padiham Unitarian
Chapel. Contact Ann Bullas.
SCIENCE: Next meeting at 2.00pm on Tuesday, 5th May, at Burnley Central Library.
Topic: “Renewable Energy.” Contact Barbara Milne for details
SCRABBLE: Meet at 1.30pm on Wednesdays, 29th April, & 13th & 27th May at SWITCH,
16 Keirby Walk, Burnley. For details contact Margaret Nichols.
SINGING FOR PLEASURE - Meet on Wednesday, 13th May, in the Hameldon Room,
Padiham Unitarian Chapel, 11.00 - 12.30. Wednesday, 20th May at 11.30am - Concert at
Walton Lane Centre, Nelson . More details from Ann Bullas or Margaret Fletcher
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH: Meet on Fridays, 8th & 22nd May, at 10.00 am. Contact Pat
Kelly for details.
SPANISH CONVERSATION: Meet on Monday, 11th May, 10.00am to noon, in the Quiet
Room at Burnley Central Library. Contact Alan Wiseman.
WALKING: Friday, 1st May. 6 mile walk. Meet 11am on Sunny Bank Road, Helmshore,
near Bridge End Hotel (BB4 4PS). Bring packed lunch. For more details contact Andrew
Gill.
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2015/ 16
Please note that the subscription for 2015/16 - £18 - is due on 1st April. Only paid-up
members are eligible to join Interest Groups, so please renew your subscription in good time if
you wish to take part in any group activities. Cheques, payable to Burnley & District U3A,
may be sent to the Treasurer, John Hartley, Lower Flat, 169 Manchester Road, Burnley BB11
4HR (s.a.e. appreciated).
If you change your address or other details during the year, please inform the Membership
Secretary, so that records can be updated.
FREE LEGAL ADVICE
The Third Age Trust provides a free 24 hour legal advice service to U3A members. Advice is
available on any legal issues and not just U3A matters. A flyer giving telephone contact details
is on our information desk.
SUMMER SCHOOL
The discounts of £40 and £20 for early booking of places at the Summer School in Newton
Rigg have now been extended from the end of March until 13th May.
TEA ROTA
April: Margaret Fletcher, Maria Chattle, Gill Turner & Eileen Gill
May: Lin Riley & ?
Please sign on the list on the Notice Board if you are willing to help.
HALL SET-UP ROTA
April:
Andrew Gill & Eric Bushby
May:
Ron Pollard & Eddie Gullick
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Burnley & District U3A Committee 2014 / 15
Chairman
Alan Wiseman
Vice Chairman
Freda Whittle
Secretary
Margaret Bushby
Treasurer
John Hartley
Membership Secretary
Marjorie Philp
Publicity
Pat Ferguson
Groups Co-ordinator
Barbara Milne
Speakers’ Secretary
Jacquie Devlin
Reception
Gwyn Markin
Minutes Secretary
Brenda Hayman
Co-opted
Web Editor John Bridge
Newsletter Editor
Maureen Hartley
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Website: www.burnleyanddistrictu3a.org.uk