Newsletter

From the Chairman

I write this as my first year as Chairman comes to an end. That year has certainly flown by, but I must say that I have enjoyed almost every moment of it! I hope you have enjoyed another year as a member of Cirencester U3A, or as a new member, enjoyed your first months with us. I don’t want to pre-empt the Trustees’ Report, which will be delivered at the upcoming AGM, and placed on our website afterwards for all to read, but I can’t help but reflect personally about the past year.

My thoughts go back to so many things which have continued as successfully as previous years (Committee work, Group activities, General meetings, etc) and to new ventures that have come to fruition or are well advanced towards this (the gelling of the new Committee, policy improvements, creation of new Groups, development of strategic plans, etc). This pleasure covers at least 95% of the time in a role I feel very honoured to hold. So, my thanks go out to every single member who volunteers in any small or large way to lead, organise, serve, write about, set-up, clear away, etc.

There are also some frustrations, as in all roles, and one of these is the seemingly hard task to get new volunteers to step forward to ensure the U3A ethos of self help continues to thrive. The Committee and all members should be extremely grateful to those members who do volunteer for everything that takes place throughout the year, but we do need more volunteers, especially as membership numbers continue to increase. On the positive side of this, I was delighted to receive at least 3 offers to organise the Annual Lunch in place of Jane Davis who, as you know, has retired from that role and as Outings organiser after 8 years’ sterling work. However, we still need an Outings organiser, if you want to continue to go on outings….

Another frustration is the need to continually ask members to remember to renew their annual subscription. The workload on our Membership Secretary, Ian Harvey, at this time of year, is enormous, but the fact that he has to continue this over so many months is really not acceptable. Just a few moments to send in a cheque or to pay directly through your bank is all it takes. If you get this newsletter before the AGM on

Another aspect of this meeting was an open discussion called “Air and Share”, from which came several interesting suggestions and comments which we will consider at the next Cirencester committee meeting on April 17th.

In March 2020, it is the turn of Cirencester U3A to host the Cotswold Link AGM, which now consists of 25 member U3As from the general Cotswold area. Next meeting was a Group Leader training day organised by Rachel Ward who got Group Leaders from 3 U3As together to listen to National Office present the latest aspects of safeguarding, diversity, data protection and insurance at a “Keeping it Legal” workshop.

If you get this newsletter before the AGM on Tuesday May 21st, then please remember that we start at the earlier time of 2.15pm for this short meeting, to then follow on as soon as possible with our speaker who this month is Matthew Sproston telling us about the life and songs of Victoria Wood. Come along to vote and to be entertained.

WELCOME! 
We are delighted to welcome a further 10 new members this month

Forthcoming meetings-

Note 2.15 start for AGM. May 21st - The life and songs of Victoria Wood - Matthew Sproston

June 18th - Wildlife on your doorstep - Tom Way

July 16th - A pedlar’s guide to brain damage - Nick Gibbs

See the Events Diaryfor a more detailed list of meetings

Meetings held in the Ashcroft Centre, at 2.30 pm on the third Tuesday of the month unless otherwise stated.