Newport, Shropshire

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NEWS ITEMS AND COMMENTS ON EVENTS

Visit to Shrewsbury Flaxmill and Maltings

Wednesday 10th April 2024

Following a fascinating insight into the history and architecture of the Flaxmill at our February monthly meeting in Cosy Hall, our speaker Richard Bonella kindly offered us the opportunity to visit the Flaxmill and ascend the newly opened Jubilee Tower. So, on a wet and slightly windy Wednesday a group of twelve brave and intrepid U3a adventurers set off to Shrewsbury.
We were met by Richard in the excellent Turned Wood Café from where we set off with umbrellas and coats to watch a short but informative film outlining the history of the impressive buildings and their construction, before Richard took us outside for a guided stroll around the site, showing us the features of the exterior of the buildings which make this such a fascinating piece of history.
We were then split into two groups before the first group ascended from the impressive atrium of the kiln, viewing the various floors which demonstrated clearly the cast iron construction of the building, reaching the summit and emerging out above the rooftops on the viewing platform of the Jubilee Tower. Despite a little rain and cloud the view was still spectacular and gave an excellent vista of the Flaxmill site, Shrewsbury and beyond. We descended a little later and retired to the café for a well-earned cuppa and slice of cake, with the second group heading off to their encounter with the Tower.
The visit to the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings is a terrific way to spend a few hours and our thanks again to Richard for looking after us so well and for sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge so readily.
More information about the Flaxmill can be found on their website https://www.shrewsburyflaxmillmaltings.org.uk/visit/behind-the-scenes-guided-tour/ and I can heartily recommend booking a visit, but perhaps choosing a day with more clement weather!

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Newport u3a has been running for 10 years this year (2023). Our inaugural meeting was May 2013 in the Baptist Church where volunteers offered there services for interest groups and our first committee was formed. Many of those groups are still running alongside some new ones. At Septembers' monthly meeting a celebration cake was made and we all enjoyed a piece.

PRIDE IN OUR HIGH STREET

On Saturday 1st July we attended the Pride in Newport event.
A lively day in town and excellent opportunity for chatting to passers by and make the u3a known.
Thank you to all members who came by.

u3a Visit to Harper Adams University, May 10th 2023

Thirteen of our membership were treated to a very interesting and informative talk and tour around Harper Adams in Edgmond, which was arranged with Rachel Brookes, part of the outreach and widening participation team at the University.
Following a cup of tea, Rachel gave us an insight into the work she does with schools and other organisations to encourage people from all walks of life to study at Harper Adams, including some of the interactive activities she uses to engage her audience, which culminated with our group sampling some very tasty edible insects!
Rachel then took us on a pleasant stroll around the campus looking in at the Food Academy and its sensory evaluation room, before completing our tour at the Agricultural Engineering Innovation Centre. Here Ag-Tech Engineer Mike Gutteridge showed us around their research labs and we looked at the work they do on the use of drones, computer controlled agricultural vehicles and autonomous systems.

KING CHARLES III ORCHARD

The u3a was invited by Newport Town Council to plant a tree in The King Charles III Community Orchard in Victoria Park as part of the Coronation celebrations. Despite the rain it was a lively, good spirited and well attended event. A tree was chosen and duly planted. The event coincides with Newport u3a having been in existence ten years this year.
Please look for "our tree". The trees have temporary labels but will all eventually have a plaque.

Four Seasons Walking Group

Members of the Four Seasons Walking Group on a beautifully carved tree trunk seat in Apley Woods.
The weather was kind to us and we walked in Apley Woods and crossed into part of Dothill Nature Reserve. A gentle 3.5 mile walk, lots to see and good chat along the way.

A message from Shrewsbury and Newport Canal Trust

At last it is here and you can now buy your tickets in the Telford and Wrekin Lottery (Twincl) with a chance to win £25,000 and other great prizes. And of course most importantly for every pound you spend you are contributing towards the restoration of our historic canals.

Click on the following link https://www.twincl.co.uk/support/shrewsbury-and-newport-canals-trust and it will take you directly to our own webpage from where it is a simple task to choose your numbers (remember it is a sequence of 0-9 numbers) £1 per line per week, choose as many lines as you wish, then give your own details and sign for either credit card or direct debit. It's all explained clearly on the webpage.

If you have any problems just email me at aboney@sncanal.org.uk and I will do all I can to help.

Thank you one and all on behalf of Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust, we look forward to a bright future with your support.

Whilst writing to you can I also remind you about Easyfundraising, a very easy to use online fund raiser which allows you to raise money for your favourite charity (us!) while you shop online through a very large number of the online outlets that you are probably using already - and at absolutely no cost to yourself.

It is very easy to setup and use and you will find all the details at:

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/shrewsburynewportcanalstrust/

You will see that we now have 79 supporters who have so far raised £1781. Just think, if we could get all of our 1400 members to join that figure could be raised to over £40,000 - and at no cost to any of us!

So, if you haven't yet got around to joining, or you haven't been remembering to use Easyfundraising when making online purchases please check out the link above.

Again, if you have any queries about this please do email me at aboney@sncanal.org.uk

And, at the moment they are running a special promotion where they are paying £4 in donations for each new person joining, that's £2 for your cause and £2 for theirs. Just follow this link:
https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/panel/

and choose "Invite New Supporters" from the scrolling panel at the top.

Many thanks for any support you are able to give.
Alan Boney
Trustee, Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER U3A'S

We have managed to secure reciprocal arrangements with another U3A group. This being Market Drayton. This means you are allowed to join 1 of their groups without actually becoming a member of that particular U3A. This is only if there is space in the group and one of their own members does not miss out.