In this edition:
- Notices
- Events
- Groups Notices
- Local and National
Notices
New Bulletin Editor Needed
Dear u3a friends,
I must sadly inform you that we need to find a new Bulletin editor, as, due to the passing of my husband, I shall be leaving Chichester to move near family. I have greatly enjoyed my years at the centre of all things u3a and can warmly recommend this position.
The requirements for the editor are as follows:
- Computer literacy – you do need to know your way around a computer, including word processing, manipulation of graphics, and how to copy, paste and adjust, even when the system is a bit bolshie. Desktop publishing experience would be a bonus
- Basic editorial skills: spelling, grammar, and formatting; (That said, we do have members who are fantastic editors, so lots of back-up is available!)
- Organising the content: keeping track of all submissions for bulletin, doing any chasing or follow-up needed
- Responding to queries from members, or more likely forwarding such queries to the appropriate person
- Time requirement: about two hours every two weeks, plus keeping on top of your emails and the occasional Bulletin Update
The Webmaster and I will provide training and handholding for as long as you need it!
This is a very key role in our organisation, so PLEASE, PLEASE consider volunteering for it. If you want to discuss the role, feel free to contact me by using this link or simply responding to this Bulletin email.
It’s been a joy and a privilege to serve our organisation, and I know that somewhere among our thousand members there must be more than one person able and willing to take it on.
Your u3a needs YOU!
Yours warmly,
Miriam Knight
Upcoming Events
February Coffee Morning – Tuesday, 3rd February, 10am-12noon
Always on the First Tuesday of each month, so please mark your calendars!
Our Coffee Mornings are held in the Bar at the MINERVA THEATRE building, opposite the Chichester Festival Theatre. You can chat with our groups team and learn about current and new offerings, meet old friends and make new ones!
PLEASE NOTE: The February coffee morning will take place as usual, however please be aware that a careers event for students will be happening at the same time in the theatre, so expect more people on site and a busier car park.
BREAKOUT TABLES:
Lawn Bowls
Discussion Groups 1 and 2
Members’ Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street, Chichester, Thursday, 19th February at 2 p.m.
Speaker: Andrew Negus “Southampton Water, Slaughter and Trade“
Our Speaker at the next Monthly Meeting is Andrew Negus, a retired history teacher who will be relating some of the history of Southampton in a talk entitled “Southampton Water, Slaughter and Trade”. Many interesting characters will feature, including 2 kings (one being the King of the Pixies), Jane Austen and a very courageous woman!.
There is no charge for the talk, and free refreshments will be served in the Crush Bar at the end of the talk when you will have an opportunity to chat to friends.
If you are a new member to Chichester u3a please do make yourself known to us.
Doors open from 1.15 p.m. … no booking required.
Groups News & Notices
Lawn Bowls at Fishbourne
A new Lawn Bowls interest group has started, suitable for all – from complete beginners to those of a more competitive nature. Sessions will meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. The cost will be £6 per session. All equipment supplied. Come along to the breakout group at the next monthly meeting to find out more and meet others who may be interested.
If you would like to express your interest, please contact the Groups Team via the following link: HERE.
Proposed: Green Cleaning Group
We are looking to see if there would be interest in getting a new group off the ground that would look at home made, environmentally friendly household cleaning products and practices inspired by the methods of Nancy Birtwhistle.
We will look at recipes, share tips, and compare results as we explore simple, sustainable alternatives to commercial products. No experience needed — just curiosity and a willingness to join in.
The group will meet at the group leader’s home (on Parklands estate, central Chichester) on a Tuesday afternoon from 14:30 to 16:00 and will initially run for 6 weeks, starting in February.
Group members are asked to contribute £1 a week to refreshments.
The maximum number for the group is 10 members so if you are interested, don’t hesitate, register your interest HERE.
New U3A Cycling Group 2
A new road-only cycling group, Cycling Group 2, is starting and will be led by John Bennett. The group will meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, gathering by the bridge over the railway on Centurion Way.
Rides will be at a moderate touring pace, with a strong emphasis on a “no one left behind” approach. Occasional rides may involve a train journey to or from the start point.
All types of bikes are welcome, as long as they are suitable for road cycling.
To register your interest, please contact the Groups Team via the following link: HERE.
Local and National
Local Events
The Impressionist Art Group are showing the documentary film ” Mary Cassatt; Painting a Modern Woman” at the Friends Meeting Hall from 2 oclock on Tuesday 3rd February
and invite anyone interested to come along for the small fee of £3, payable on the day.
This 90 minute film plots the life and works of this great woman artist and feminist who did so much for the Impressionist and the Suffragette movement.. She is well worth discovering if you have not come across her.
National u3a
There is a wealth of information on the National u3a website – www.u3a.org.uk , including online groups, u3a Radio podcast, upcoming events, and the latest issue of Third Age Matters, the monthly national u3a magazine.
The link to the current version is:https://www.u3a.org.uk/news/u3a-matters/screen-reader-editions/u3a-matters-winter-2025-screenreader-edition
The next bulletin is due out on 13 February, so if you have an item to submit, you may use this link.
Links to our Website
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If you wish to unsubscribe from the Bulletin emails, please contact the membership secretary with subject “Unsubscribe from Bulletin”. This will not affect other email communications with the U3A. Please do NOT put the bulletin emails into spam! 😒
Please send a message via the usual channels if you wish to have some item of u3a news put in the Bulletin. Likewise, if you have suggestions as to how to improve the Bulletin or would like to join our team.
Best wishes, Miriam Knight
The Constitution of the Chichester U3A is available to view here, and its Terms of Use here.
Enquiries: If you wish to contact the Chichester U3A, please call 07490 654524 (and be prepared to leave a message if not answered), or contact the membership secretary.