Cottingham

News and information

This page has news about Cottingham u3a together with local information and websites which members might find useful and interesting.
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New Mobile Phone Number

I am pleased to let you know that Cottingham u3a now has a mobile phone number that members can use to contact any Committee Member or Group Convenor. The phone will be held and answered by a Committee Member who will then pass on any queries to the relevant person/group concerned to ensure the query is dealt with.

The phone number is: 07586 532964

Please note that this number is for Calls and Text Messages(SMS) only.

NB (The phone cannot receive or send WhatsApp calls/messages)


Message from the Chair

I would like to draw your attention to a very important issue – DATA PROTECTION – NO, don’t switch off yet; ALL members need to take note so please read on. For some time now, I have felt a little uncomfortable regarding the publishing of members’ personal information ie telephone numbers and email addresses. Therefore, I asked the committee to consider how we might do things differently. A small working party has spent some time looking into this and a decision regarding the way forward has been reached and approved by your u3a committee. A generic email address has been set up and will be published in all documentation regarding Cottingham u3a.

The new email address is cottinghamu3as@gmail.com

Currently this new email box is monitored by 4 members of the committee (chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer) – it will probably be extended to include the membership secretary. Anyone wishing to contact a member of the u3a for any reason (eg membership, interest group etc) will be able to use this email address; the message will be dealt with and passed on to the relevant person promptly and efficiently. From now on, we will try to eliminate the use of personal data in all correspondence (it’s available all over the place at the current time!!). As with all changes, this might take a little time for everyone to get used to the new system so please bear with us!!

In addition, the committee is well aware that not everyone uses, or has access to, email. We will very shortly, therefore, be purchasing a mobile telephone, held on a rota basis by committee members; this telephone number will also be published in all Cottingham u3a documentation and I hope to be able to pass on this number to everyone in the next few weeks.
All of the above does NOT mean that members cannot pass on their ’phone number/email address to other members, eg those in interest groups. That is still an individual choice. It simply means that we will not be putting members’ personal data in the public domain; this is for your protection. Interestingly, other u3as are also looking into this issue, so we are not alone.
If anyone has any questions about the use of the generic email and telephone number, please do not hesitate to contact me (cottinghamu3as@gmail.com) or any member of the executive committee

Lesley

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Christmas Social

97 members enjoyed our Annual Christmas Social in the Darby & Joan Hall on Thursday afternoon. Cakes, nibbles, sweets, tea & coffee were on offer. Some members even brought their own odd bottle or two of Prosecco. 🍾 This year, a bit of a change. Each member was tasked with making a Xmas tree🎄with the help of Diana and the Xmas Elves. There was also Sue's Xmas Quiz, raffle and festive music 🎵 A good time was had by all.
Please check out our Facebook page for pictures.

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Christmas Lunch - 7th December 2023

Our annual Christmas Lunch in the Kingsley Suite at the University of Hull was enjoyed by 47 members. The room looked very festive.
We were served an excellent 3 course meal followed by mince pies and tea or coffee. The Christmas Pudding was especially delicious (probably all the brandy)apparently as was the Cheesecake. The kitchen and waiting staff did us proud.
Please see our Facebook page for a selection of pictures from the event.

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Cottingham Day - 2nd July 2023

A number of our groups took part in the Darby and Joan Hall open day which gave hirers a chance to promote their various activities. As last year we had the small hall to ourselves and were able to show the public what the u3a is all about. Fantastic displays by the Art, Craft, Crochet and Knit and Natter groups together with information from our Social Events group, Sunday Strollers, Walking Group, Tai Chi, Quiz and both Discussion Groups all proved interesting to the many visitors to the hall. Throughout the day we were also able to show on the big screen the DVD, produced by Janet King, showing the many activities avalable to our members. At time of writing we have gained 6 new members.

Please click on link below for some pictures from the event.

2nd July 2023 Cottingham Day

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24 hour Legal Advisory Service.
The free legal telephone advice service from ARC Legal Assistance has been cancelled as this has not proved to be financially viable.
In future, please contact National Office direct for legal advice and they will deal with any enquiries on a ‘case by case’ basis.
Telephone 020 8466 6139 and Quote U3A Legal Helpline.

This free telephone advice service is available to all U3A members; there is no limit to the number of calls you can make and advice will be given on all aspects of law. If you are asked for an insurance number, tell them that you do not have one.

Click on Citizens Advice to go to their website, where you can obtain helpful information or be pointed to the nearest location for advice.

Advice on avoiding Scams
Being aware of different possible scams is the best way to avoid them. Click on any (or each) of the following for advice.

takefive-stopfraud - Awareness campaign by FFA UK, its members, and partners Cifas & City of London Police
www.met.police.uk/docs - Metropolitan Police 47 page advice booklet.
AgeUK Avoiding scams - similar guide from Age UK.
Phishing and Vishing - the Security Awareness article from Driffield U3A (Nov 2015).
Postal & Phone Scams - article from Cottingham U3A Newsletter (Sept 2016)


Mobile Phone Emergency Contact
Have you thought of adding ICE (In case of emergency) next to the mobile phone number of your next of kin or contact person? This would inform the Emergency Services of who to contact in case of emergency. It would also be helpful for Group Leaders.

The Third Age Trust
The Trust holds several summer schools, workshops and conferences annually although these tend to be held in the south. To see if there is anything that appeals to you, check out their website by clicking on the U3A heading above.

National Theatre live
This gives details of selected National Theatre plays which are filmed and broadcast live. Cineworld at Kingswood shows these excellent broadcasts which include extras such as the background to the play or interviews with the author.

East Riding library catalogue - & - Hull library catalogue
Find out which books are available. No need to log on.

Visit Hull and East Yorkshire - Official tourist information.