In this edition:
Notices
Chichester u3a Magazine
I’m just starting to put together the next edition of the CHI u3a magazine to be issued at the end of May.
You responded wonderfully to my request for pieces to go in the last edition, so I am hoping you will again this time. I am looking for items about your u3a activities, and those not related to u3a. Places you have visited. Journeys . Amusing anecdotes. Notable events. Anything that you think could be of interest to, and you would like to share with, your fellow members. But no politics please.
And pictures, lots of pictures…
I would also like to hear any ideas you have about content – what would you like to read about?
Please contact me here.
Many thanks,
Penny Blackmore Smith
Chichester District Council Consultation
I just wanted to reach out to make you aware of new plans put forward by the District Council to tackle growing antisocial behaviour in Chichester.
For context, over the last several months there has been a growing problem of aggressive and antisocial behaviour in and around Eastgate Square which you may be aware of. The behaviour shown by some of those involved has been nothing short of appalling, and the Police have had to step in a number of times to prevent this.
Because of the growing scale of the issue, after some discussion with District Council officers they have now agreed to begin work to put in a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) around the City centre. The PSPO gives the Police additional powers to prevent alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour around the City centre.
The District Council have started a consultation on the proposed PSPO, which you can find online here: https://letstalk.chichester.gov.uk/chichesterpspo/participate.
The survey closes on Tuesday 22nd April, and I am told that, if successfully implemented, the PSPO will come into effect by June this year. If you can, I would strongly encourage you to encourage your neighbours & other relatives to fill out the survey, since a larger response will encourage the District Council to take appropriate steps.
Needless to say, a PSPO is not a ‘silver bullet’ to resolve unwanted behaviour in our City, but it will be a useful tool tackle it.
Received from
James Vivian
District Councillor for Chichester Central
Chichester District Council
Upcoming Events
May Coffee Morning – Tuesday, 6th May 10am-12noon
Always on the First Tuesday of each month, so please mark your calendars!
Our Coffee Mornings are held in the Bar on the first floor of the MINERVA THEATRE building, opposite the Chichester Festival Theatre.
It’s a great opportunity to chat with our groups team and learn about current and new offerings, meet old friends and make new ones!
Groups Notices
“I’ve still got a full deck… I just shuffle slower now.” – Unknown
MEMORABLE BOOKS
Book Group 8 meets on the first Tuesday morning of the month and we are looking for new members. Each year we choose 10 books that everyone reads for discussion and they usually follow a theme. This year we have chosen books which individual members have identified as memorable. This has revealed some interesting and diverse choices. The list is available for anyone interested in joining us. Get in touch via the Groups message link HERE.
Are you a recorder player?
The Recorder Group has places available for new members! Maybe you’ve played the recorder in the past and would like to take it up again or maybe you play a little already but would like more experience in a serious group.
If so, you’re invited to come along one Tuesday afternoon and have a taster session with us. Nothing at all scary, but you would need a music stand and your own recorders (at least two sizes). The music is provided and would be quite straightforward for you on your visit. The group is friendly and supportive and will make you very welcome. We are currently 9 players and there’s plenty of room for more. (As with any u3a group, people move on from time to time).
Because this isn’t a beginners’ group, you need to know recorder fingerings, be able to play basic scales and arpeggios from music, understand basic rhythms and be at home with simple tunes. We play music for SATB and sometimes larger instruments and it ranges from early to modern composers. Once a month a recorder professional comes along to help players make progress and takes us through more challenging music. Inbetween I lead the group and help with basic skills. (The group has been running for 17 years). – Our tame professional would be only too happy to give a private lesson to anyone who hasn’t picked up their recorder in years and is uncertain about their playing.
Because it’s a serious group, we meet weekly and regular attendance (as far as possible) is looked for – so it isn’t a drop-in group or one for casual attendance. Everyone is rather serious about their playing as well as enjoying it and making progress.
We meet where I live on The Hornet in Chichester – on two bus routes (51 & 700), with car parks 6-8mins walk away. (One is free for 3 hours). The weekly sessions are from 2pm to 4pm in a large lounge at ground level, so no stairs to negotiate.
Advice is available on how to spread your recorder wings if you want to play more or in bigger groups. You can also borrow music to play at home.
The Recorder Group is definitely for the enthusiast who wants to improve their playing with regular weekly opportunities. We play all sorts of music from early to present day: tuneful and enjoyable stuff!
Let me know if you’d like to come along one Tuesday afternoon for a taster session by using the Contact form here on the website.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Jean Campbell
Latin for Beginners and Improvers
Are you intrigued by Latin? Are you interested in grammar and vocabulary? Would you like to be able to translate Latin inscriptions and quotations? Learning together can be more fun and accountable, so I am seeking a few members who would like to work through Wheelock’s Latin or the Cambridge Latin course or similar book to learn (or relearn) latin. A possible format might be of fortnightly meetings in person or online to suit members.
To register your interest or to find out more, come along to the May 6th Coffee Morning or if you cannot make that please contact Helen Dignum via the Groups Team.
Proposed Trip to Flanders
The Bognor u3a Group is testing the waters to see if there would be any interest in joining a group visiting Flanders and the WW1 battlefields etc. They have done this several times before and would need about 20+ people to show interest, then Iain Palot, the Bognor organiser, will talk to our guide.
To register your interest please contact Iain at lesgrionettes@yahoo.co.uk.
Final shout out for the new Pilates group
You’ll have seen in the last couple of newsletters that, in response to requests from members, we are trying to launch a new Pilates group. The group will run on a Wednesday afternoon from 4.30 – 5.30 at Fishbourne church hall at the cost of £8 per session (paid in advance by bank transfer) for each six week block, this is a very competitive price.
If you want to be added to the group, don’t delay, please register your interest HERE
Groups News
Chichester U3A MOTO2 Visits the Heart of Democracy
On April 2nd, members of Chichester U3A’s MOTO2 group embarked on a fascinating visit to the Houses of Parliament, immersing themselves in the history and grandeur of one of the UK’s most iconic institutions. The trip provided an unforgettable opportunity to explore the heart of British democracy and gain insights into the workings of government.
Our guided tour took us through the historic corridors of power, where we marveled at the architectural beauty and rich heritage of the building. From the splendor of Westminster Hall to the intricate details of St. Stephen’s Chapel, every corner told a story of the nation’s political past. A highlight of the visit was stepping into the House of Lords, where we observed the opulent red benches and learned about the chamber’s vital role in shaping legislation.
Following our tour, we had the privilege of meeting our local MP, Jess Brown-Fuller. Engaging and insightful, she shared her experiences as a Member of Parliament and discussed key issues affecting our community. The session provided a valuable chance to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and responsibilities faced by our elected representatives.
The day was both educational and inspiring, leaving us with a renewed appreciation for the democratic process. It was a wonderful experience for all who attended, reinforcing the importance of civic engagement and political awareness. A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this visit such a success!
National & Regional
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-february-2025-screenreader-edition
The next bulletin is due out on 25th April, so if you have an item to submit, you may use this link.
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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 write to the Chichester U3A, then the correspondence address is: U3A Chichester, Box 809, MailboxesEtc., 26 The Hornet, CHICHESTER, PO19 7BB. You can reach the Membership Secretary either via this link (membership secretary) or by calling 07490 654524.