Association of Essex Universities
of the Third Age
U3As are self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for their members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun.
Linking the county's U3As
Keep in touch. To contact this website, call 07591 393163
Don't miss our November meeting!
The November 12 meeting of the Association of Essex Universities of the Third Age will be held, as usual, at the Henry Dixon Hall, Silver End. Visitors are welcome to arrive by 10am and help themselves to coffee. At 10.30am, chairman Beryl McDonell will welcome delegates and read the minutes of the May meeting.
At 10.45am, delegates will hear talks on the Edinburgh Conference of the U3A by speakers including former chairman Iris Mooney, Maureen Lindsell, Wendy Mulville (on ageing) and Margaret May (who is expected to speak about being a first-timer at conference. Margaret has just undergone major surgery but is expected to be fit again by November 12).
Before lunch, Beryl McDonell will ask delegates these important questions:
A. Are U3As interested in the proposed February Creative Activities Day, and will they be able to ensure a reasonable number of members commit themselves to attend?
B. If not enough are interested, would delegates ask their U3As to discuss the possibility of the Essex Association of U3As disbanding, with outstanding bank credits redistributed to the contributing U3As, and U3As forming their own local cluster groups.
As you will be aware, the future of the Association is in the balance here. Replies to these questions will be required by the end of November.
Lunch will be taken at 12.15pm, and at 1pm the afternoon session will begin. It will feature presentations on a number of special interests, including clock repairing, wood turning, nature and wildlife and sign language. Doug Harryman is expected to speak about first aid and, possibly, maths. There will be questions and answers after each presentation.
Co-ordinators have been invited to the meeting and may be asked how ideas for new activities are initiated in their U3As.
If you have not already indicated your intention to be represented at the November 12 meeting, please call secretary Margaret May as soon as possible on 01702 522551.
What's cooking? Ask kitchen whiz Robert
A valuable 120-year-old book has been saved from the dustbin and returned to its stately home, thanks to the U3A. The book is a record of recipes handwritten by Avis Crocombe while she was working as the cook at Audley End between 1880 and 1884. It was inherited by her great great-nephew, Robert Stride, a member of U3A Thorpe Bay, who didn't realise its historic value and was going to throw it away.
Luckily Avis Crocombe's Cookbook was saved when Robert (pictured with a costumed "Avis") went with the Classical Group to a summer concert at Audley End and took it with him, "just in case anyone was interested".
He was taken aback by the welcome he and the book received. It was exactly what English Heritage staff needed for their display in their recently refurbished Service Wing, which is set up to show how life was below stairs in the 1880s.
Robert is himself a keen cook and renowned among fellow members for his delicious cakes. He said: “Life comes up with some unexpected surprises, and being a member of U3A proves the point.”
Visitors to Audley End, near Saffron Walden, can see Mrs Crocombe's dishes re-created every weekend throughout October, November and December 2009.
Comparative Religions group visit a Jain temple
U3A Members from Southend, Leigh and Thorpe Bay joined in a Southend U3A Comparative Religions Group visit to the
Shikharbandhi Jain Deraser (Temple) at Potters Bar, Herts. They went on to St Albans for lunch and visited the Cathedral.
Why our quiz had to be cancelled, plus new plans
Only six U3As signed up to take part in our quiz event planned for 23rd September. We had booked the Shire Hall in Chelmsford, with its excellent facilities and easy access for most U3As, but the response was insufficient to cover the expense of the arrangement. We had to call the event off virtually at the last moment. The Shire Hall staff were understanding and didn't charge us for the cancellation but naturally your committee were extremely disappointed at the turn of events.
Letters are going out to all Essex U3As about the November meeting. The first session will cover the National Conference in Edinburgh, with a number of first-hand reports. After lunch we hope to have some of the county's more unusual interest groups introducing their activities with talks and demonstrations.
In February we want to hold a Creative Activities Day, with inventive groups like painters, poets and writers taking centre stage. Hopefully this will be in school premises during half term. If you have groups of members who would like to bring to others the joy of creativity, please get in touch. You can reach this website through the phone number above, or by emailing mtedoyle@googlemail.com, or speak to chairman Beryl McDonell on 01621 842093.
Let's be positive. It's good to talk!
Aviation enthusiasts see cavalcade of WW1 planes take to the air
Three members of Southend U3A's Aviation Group made the journey to Old Warden in Bedfordshire for the Pageant Air Display mounted
by the Shuttleworth Collection of historic and vintage aircraft. Better weather than last year enabled some of the oldest aircraft in the
collection to take to the air, including this Sopwith Triplane fighter from the First World War.
Natural pleasures as walkers make their way around Paglesham
DON DOWN, of Southend U3A's Walking Group, writes: A very pleasant morning was spent walking around many of the farmland tracks in the area. I had the added pleasure to see and record many species of British butterflies. In fact it was the most rewarding occasion for many years to observe many of our commoner species. Painted Ladies were a great delight as they were the offspring of the early migrants that arrived in the spring from the Desert-Veldt of North Africa where they continually brood. I was very pleased to record my first local Small Tortoiseshells of the year. Many beautiful Peacocks were seen nectaring from the bramble blossoms along the field hedgerows. The lovely Comma butterfly was also seen together with one or two migrant Red Admirals. Amongst the grasses, Gatekeepers (picture above right) and Meadow Browns were common; whilst all three species of White Butterflies were extremely abundant everywhere amongst the profusion of wild flowers. However, I think the most excitement occurred when I found two large caterpillars of the Puss Moth (picture above left), feeding on leaves of a sallow bush, both of which have pupated and should emerge as moths next May.
I would like to thank all involved in arranging the walk and I apologise if I delayed your progress. I always caught up with you all and that’s when I had found my little surprises to show you. I think we had a very good morning.
Say Hello to Harwich Peninsula!
Many U3As in Essex now have their own websites. One such is Harwich Peninsula, in a picturesque corner of the country. If you'd like to see how they chronicle their many varied activities online, pay them a visit by clicking on this link: http://www.u3asites.org.uk/harwichpen/
Farewell to Iris, a welcome for Beryl
The annual meeting of the Association took place on Thursday 14th May at the Henry Dixon Hall, Rivendell.
Chairman Iris Mooney (pictured left) stepped down at the end of her term of office and Beryl McDonell (right),
Vice-Chairman of Maldon U3A, agreed to serve as Chairman for a year. Also elected to the committee was
Dorreen Linton, Chairman of Blackwater U3A.
The meeting, which started with the May general meeting, was well attended and featured a display of
work done by the Blackwater and Maldon groups on their Shared River Blackwater Project. U3As represented
at the meeting were Heybridge, Harlow, Harwich Peninsula, Saffron Walden and Stansted Mountfitchet, Roding
Valley, Chelmsford, Maldon, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, Blackwater, and Baddow and Galleywood. Also
at the meeting were Janet Whitehouse, the East of England Representative, and Zazia Pratt, who spoke about
her role as one of the U3A's three Educational Development Officers.
Retiring Chairman Iris Mooney gave a warning that the Association was in danger of having to be dissolved
because no nominations had been received to succeed either herself or retiring Vice-Chairman Pat Brown.
The decision of Beryl McDonell and Dorreen Linton to make themselves available was welcomed. Iris was
thanked for her hard work on behalf of the Association. Treasurer Jean Harris, Secretary Margaret May and
committee member Mike Eldridge-Doyle (Website Editor) were re-elected.
Above left: Some of the delegates who attended the meeting. Above right: Dorreen Linton, who was elected to the
committee. Below left: More of the delegates; below centre: Zazia Pratt; below right: Secretary Margaret May, East of
England Representative Janet Whitehouse and retiring Chairman Iris Mooney.
A musical plea from astronomer Molly Tring
Molly Tring, who runs Maldon U3A's Astronomy Group. is a very keen member of the Maldon Orchestra - and they are down to only nine or ten members...
a group rather than an orchestra! Would any other members be interested in joining?
Contact Molly on 01621 854732
Maldon's latest Newsletters are here: Maldon U3A
Are you interested in lessons in Bridge?
This message has come from Basildon and Billericay U3A: We have received requests for tuition in Bridge, and located a place
(at Barleylands) where the costs would not be prohibitive if we could find enough interest. If you are interested, we would like to know. Please contact us through this link: terry.mclaughlin@lineone.net
New U3A, new website!
Recently established Thorpe Bay U3A already has it own website, thanks to go-ahead member Romilly Paradine. It's full of information about the group and includes a number of pictures. You can find it here: http://u3asites.org.uk/thorpebay
Another resounding success for Harlow U3A
Harlow U3A celebrated an eventful first year at their Anniversary Celebration at The Link. The group had gone from strength to strength throughout 2008, culminating in achieving a grant from Awards for All of £1,460.
As well as around 250 members in attendance, there were many local dignitaries, including Tony Hall, Chairman of Harlow Council, Joyce Vincent, Mayor of Sawbridgeworth, Science Alive, Rainbow Services and several chairmen of other local U3As. The toast was proposed by Jeff Sedley, Chairman of Epping Forest U3A.
The highlight of the morning were displays from all the various groups reflecting their interests and practical work created and enjoyed over the past year. Art Appreciation, Family History, Gardening, Walking, Enjoying Opera, Crafts, Knit-Wits, Languages, including Russian, Poetry, Creative Writing, Reading were there, and if you hadn’t thought of or knew how to play, the leaders from the Mah Jong, Cribbage, Rummikub, Scrabble and other board games were on hand to show you the rules.
The committee would like to thank all the group leaders who put in so much of their time, everyone who supported the event, members who helped on the day and who provided all the delicious cakes. Raffle prizes were generously given by Gloria M, Avant Garde and members. A special thank you must go to Link manager Mark Halley for his patience and hard work for ensuring the occasion went smoothly. Everyone had an enjoyable time learning more about the activities Harlow U3A had on offer. We could not have asked for more!
For further details of Harlow U3A, contact Margaret Jowett, 01279 410360
Gardeners are digging for victory
The Gardening Group at Thorpe Bay U3A have a new allotment project, which is keeping
them busy - and very fit. Romilly Paradine writes: "We are now the proud owners of an
allotment, thanks to our group leader, Roni Miller, who organised it all. She is on the far
right at the back in the picture. The photo was taken on January 14th - a freezing cold,
foggy and frosty day. Not to be put off, we enthusiastically set-to and began the job of
clearing away weeds and rubbish, which we finished doing by the end of the month. Not
bad going, eh! Now we are busy with the fun part of growing vegetables and soft fruit
- said to be good for us OAPs!"
More about Thorpe Bay U3A here: Thorpe Bay U3A
Essex in memory and music
The Rev John Robinson was a welcome return visitor when he
spoke at the Southend U3A meeting, taking as his subject
Memories of Essex and Music of the period. With a blackboard
to record levels of audience helpfulness, he had everyone in fits
of laughter. He accompanied himself on his accordian and
at the piano.
Saffron Walden U3A takes to the water
Members of Saffron Walden U3A enjoyed a 25th Anniversary Cam River Cruise, with lunch aboard SS Georgina. They travelled there by coach in July in beautiful sunny weather - now a rather distant memory. To read more about Saffron Walden U3A, click here: Saffron Walden U3A
Leigh study group leaders meet
Leigh-on-Sea U3A study group leaders had a picturesque setting for their latest
meeting - the Cliffs Pavilion theatre foyer, with views out over the Thames
Estuary. Chairman Yvonne Poole is at the front (in red).
More about Leigh: Leigh-on-Sea U3A
Leigh gets its own website
Leigh-on-Sea U3A now has its own website. To take a look, click this link: u3asites.org.uk/leigh/
Our day for group leaders is a big success
Above: Some of the 74 delegates at our group leaders' and co-ordinators' day at Wickford. Below, from left, the
four speakers - Thelma Cleaver, Alan Baxter, Janet Whitehouse and Mike Eldridge-Doyle.
Seventy-four delegates from ten U3As around the county, some of them pictured above, attended the group co-ordinators' and group leaders' day arranged by the Association at Beauchamps High School, Wickford. The master of ceremonies was Pat Brown. The speakers were Thelma Cleaver, leader of the Chelmsford Philosophy Group, Alan Baxter, from Basildon, who spoke on taking over an established group - in this case Birdwatching - Janet Whitehouse, from Roding Valley, who spoke of her Drama Group's participation in security improvement activities for older people, and Essex U3A Website Editor Mike Eldridge-Doyle, from Southend, who is a member of the Association's committee. Many delegates said they found the event stimulating, offering a helpful exchange of ideas and a chance to meet colleagues from other parts of Essex.
Garden enthusiasts, can you help Harry Brickwood? For details, click here: Gardens
Major cash award for Harlow U3A
Awards For All has agreed a major contribution to Harlow U3A. For details click here: Harlow U3A
Marilyn, Lauren and the Big Quiz
Some of the ten tables which contested our Big Quiz.
Can you name two of Marilyn Monroe's three husbands? Do you know which famous Hollywood star was born Betty Joan Perske? Those were among the questions asked by quizmasters Sybil and Jeffrey at the first major quiz organised by the Association of Essex U3As. The quiz took place in the Millennium Suite at Great Baddow Community Centre. With ten tables in play, it was busy and noisy and riotous fun. The winners were Basildon and Billericay U3A, who received a shield and individual medals from Association chairman Iris Mooney. (By the way, Marilyn's husbands were Jim Dougherty, Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller. Betty Joan Perske was Lauren Bacall - and noboby got that right!)
Another picture of the winners here: Basildon and Billericay U3A
See runners-up Leigh-on-Sea here: Leigh-on-Sea U3A
Winners Basildon and Billericay with their medals, presented by Iris Mooney (at right); and tricky quizmasters Sybil and Jeffrey.
New music website for U3A members
A new website dealing with the classical music interests of older people has been started. Constructed by Tom Holloway, who inaugurated the Southend U3A website, and Norman Edwards, it can be found here: http://u3amusicgroups.pbwiki.com/
Artistic flavour at Harlow U3A
Harlow U3A is nearly a year old. For details and news, click here: Harlow U3A
Have a look at Harlow's new website!
Harlow U3A has a new website, accessible through the U3A's national website (hit Find a U3A Group and enter Harlow), or simply by clicking this link: http://u3asites.org.uk/harlow/
Jazz is all the rage at Roding Valley
There's music in the air when members of the Roding Valley U3A Jazz Group get together. Details here: Roding Valley
New U3As in seaside area
SOUTHEND U3A, once the only branch in the area, has been gaining cousins at quite a rate. Following the formation of branches at Rayleigh and Leigh-on-Sea, a third brand new branch has been formed at Thorpe Bay. Kind words were being directed towards Southend as an inspiration and guiding light as the latest spin-off was created. Leading the way at Thorpe Bay is Pat Andrews, a member of Southend U3A and leader of its Relaxation Group. Also at the inaugural meeting, offering help and encouragement, were Iris Mooney, chairman of the Association of Essex U3As, and Neville Peters, a long-time Southend member and a founder of Leigh branch.
“The U3A in our catchment area is growing at a rate which hopefully will be of benefit to everyone interested in learning and meeting new people through joining the organisation,” said a former member of the Southend and Essex committees, Alan Thurston. “It has been wonderful to see members joining Rayleigh U3A, Leigh-on-Sea U3A and now Thorpe Bay U3A.” He added: “All thanks to Southend-on-Sea and Billericay U3As for their help in spreading the news.”
Meet the committee...
From left: Secretary Margaret May (Leigh-on-Sea), Chairman Beryl McDonell
(Maldon), Treasurer Jean Harris (Roding Valley), Committee Member Dorreen
Linton (Blackwater) and Website Editor Mike Eldridge-Doyle (Southend-on-Sea
and Leigh-on-Sea).
Have we got your email address right? If not, please let Mike know on 07591 393163
For news and views from the Association, please keep an eye on this website. We want it to be a focal point for the county. Please tell your fellow members about it. And we want to hear from you. Please pass on items about your activities and your plans. Your ideas may inspire others! Contact any member of the committee (email addresses at foot of Contacts List).
If you have corrections or suggestions in respect of this website, please contact
Mike Eldridge-Doyle on 07591 393163
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