Middlesbrough

February 2020 Newsletter

Chairman's Remarks

Happy New Year to everyone. 2020 is now upon us and could be an important year for Middlesbrough U3A. On June 3rd, across the country, the U3A movement is holding a special day (U3A day) to raise the profile of the U3A both nationally and locally. Marjorie Homer tells us more about the event in this Newsletter. It is hoped the event could help to increase our membership.
In December I announced the sad passing of Marion Bolton. Marion was the driving force, with the assistance of others, in the founding of Middlesbrough U3A and Mike McCann gives a tribute below.
We continue to be grateful to those members who have been helping on the refreshments bar at St Barnabas. We need more volunteers please. Also, would volunteers who find that they cannot come on the day they have volunteered for please let me know so alternative arrangements can be made.
Neil Cooke: Newsletter Editor.

------------------------------------------

Marion Bolton R.I.P.

On the first Wednesday of every month we turn up for the Monthly Meeting of the U3A, but do we ever stop and ponder ‘Whose bright idea was is to start the U3A in Middlesbrough?’ The answer is Marion Bolton who sadly passed away in November. The ethos of the U3A, ‘A democratic, self-managed and self-funded movement that offered unique, exciting educational and social opportunities for people no longer in full time work’ appealed to Marion and fitted her values.

So, inspired by these ideals in the summer of 2006 Marion invited a number of friends, including Marjorie Homer and Margaret Wallis, to form a Steering Committee to set up the U3A in the town. She then cycled all over the town putting up posters in shops and Libraries inviting anyone interested to come to a meeting in St Mary’s Church in Acklam. A good number of people turned up, supported the idea and volunteered to lead a number of interest groups. The Steering Committee outlined the objectives of the U3A and presented a model constitution which was debated and agreed. On the first Wednesday in October 2006 an AGM was held, the constitution formally accepted and committee elected. Marion was the first secretary, 62 people became members and 12 interest groups were established, a number of which are still running today. Marion started a ‘Stone wall building Group’ that repaired the stone walls in Swaledale!

Marion was devastated by the sudden death of her beloved husband David and stood down as secretary. She wrote a controversial letter to the National U3A Newsletter about euthanasia which generated a great deal of correspondence. Gradually, she came to terms with her loss and moved south to be close to her family and spent many happy years with them.

Thank you, Marion, for introducing the U3A to Middlesbrough.

Mike McCann Chair 2006 to 2009

------------------------------------------

Our First U3A Day

This year sees the launch of the first National U3A day to be held on Wednesday the 3rd of June – which happens to be our usual meeting day.

Your Committee has decided to take this opportunity to publicise our activities and to increase our membership. In order to do this we will arrange a longer meeting on the 3rd June with an opportunity for other individuals to come along and discover more about us. We also want to spread the word about our aims and activities through local media and local groups.
In order to ensure members’ interests and idea are represented and their skills utilised we are inviting members of Middlesbrough U3A to join a planning group to prepare for this day. We have not yet finalised what the main theme of the day wil be but there will be plenty of other roles, such as contacting the media and other groups and developing publicity material, that you might find interesting. We also intend that there will be exhibitions and presentations showcasing the work of our current groups.

This is obviously a short term commitment from February to the beginning of June so I hope some of you will feel able to give some time to this. If so please contact me on 01642 814270 or see me at our local U3A meeting. Even if you decide you do not want to join the planning group please let me have your ideas re whom we might invite and how we might spread the word about U3A and our work in the community.

Thank you, Marjorie Homer.

------------------------------------------

Middlesbrough U3A Groups

Details of Groups activities can also be found on the Groups Page on this website.

Luncheon Club
Future dates for are:

  • Wednesday 26th February, 12 for 12.30 pm - Olivello, Linthorpe Village. Please pre-order your meal.
  • Wednesday 25th March, 12 for 12.30 pm - The Fork in the Road, Linthorpe Road. Please pre-order your meal. Note: the venue is to become alcohol-free with effect from 1st February.
  • Wednesday 23rd April, 12 for 12.30 pm – Venue to be confirmed.

Gillian Moore

------------------------------------------

Ten Pin Bowling Club
I am picking up the running of the Ten Pin Bowling Club that Terry Bailey used to run. Each session will be 10.00 am for 10.30 am start at Teesside Bowling on the Retail Park. The first session will be 26th Feb. and every 4th Wednesday each month thereafter except for holiday periods.
Anyone wishing to attend please sign the form in the Foyer or contact Mike Bartlett (Details on Groups Page)

------------------------------------------

Gardening Club
Forthcoming events:
12th Feb Whitegates gardens
11th Mar Kipling Hall Snowdrops
8th April Crook Hall, Durham
13th May Esh Winning, Durham Anyone wanting to go please let Ann Arundale know
10th June Scampston. I have arranged buses for Scampston. Please let Ann have £5 to reserve.
All meetings meet at The Friends Meeting House on Eton Rd and car share.
Ann Arundale

------------------------------------------

Alfresco Art
Any form of portable art is welcome - Photography, watercolours, acrylics, paper and pencil, iPad/Android tablets, even knitting & crochet if you're feeling adventurous! We are a small friendly group and would welcome more members.
Thursday 13th Feb – Yellow Rose (Linthorpe Cemetery if weather reasonable).
Thursday 12th Mar – Stewart Park Walled Garden (meet at Henry’s Café – the herb spiral may also be open).
Wednesday 8th April – Preston Park. Transport may be arranged.
Thursday 14th May – Albert park pond, meet at the café.

------------------------------------------

Watercolour Painting

Birthday Celebration; After the usual painting session on Tuesday 19th Nov, the Watercolour Painting Group gathered together at the Linthorpe Community Centre to celebrate a very special event – Ruth Hayton’s 90th birthday. We took the opportunity of this date being the last chance before her birthday in December.
We were treated to an excellent finger lunch. Ruth cut a beautifully decorated cake made by one of the Group members. After a toast Ruth made a short speech thanking everyone for their support over the year with a special mention for those who had organised the event. A good time was had by all, especially the guest of honour.

------------------------------------------

Soup and Pudding

The next Soup and Pud is on Fri 28th Feb, 12 noon at 69 Cambridge Rd.
Anyone wishing to attend please sign the form in the Foyer. The club works by 1 person offering to make the soup for 14 people and 3 other volunteers to bring a ‘pud’ each accompanied by the recipe. All volunteer cooks will be reimbursed if they bring a receipt. For everyone the cost is £3.
Ruth and Heather

------------------------------------------

Middlesbrough U3A Walks & Strolls

‘Under Five Miles’ Walking Group
• To be held on a Thursday - twice monthly – 1st and 3rd week.
• Register at the start of the walk at Toft House Car Park, Middlesbrough Theatre, The Avenue, Middlesbrough at 9.50 a.m.
• A Health Questionnaire will need to be completed.
• All walks will be on well defined paths.
• Walks led by trained Voluntary Walk Leaders. The Leader has the right to refuse to take any person for whom the walk would, in their opinion, be inappropriate; or change the route if they deem it advisable.
• Members walk at their own risk.

Walks Will Resume On Thursday, 5th March.

Full Details of Walks can be found on the Groups Page

Thursday, 5th March, Redcar – Locke Park and the Seaside
Leaders: Dorothy Dawson and Maureen Edon (Tel: 01642 593945)

Thursday, 19th March, From Toft House To Stewart Park
Leaders: Marilyn and Fred Wood (Tel: 01642 821090)
You Will Need Your Bus Pass For Return On No.63 Bus.

Thursday, 2nd April, Tees Barrage And Nature Reserve
Leaders: Linda Knott and Maureen Edon (Tel: 01287 631651)

------------------------------------------

Short Slow Strolls

The following strolls are planned:

Tuesday 18th February through Linthorpe Cemetery visiting places of special interest. Meet at 10:30 at the entrance gate on Roman Road. Afterwards refreshments can be taken at the Linthorpe Tea Rooms.

Tuesday 17th March at Stewart’s Park. Meet at 10:30 outside the Captain Cook Museum. For those without cars please meet at Dorman’s Museum at 10 am for travel by bus. Opportunity for refreshments at Henry’s café following the stroll.

------------------------------------------

The next newsletter will be on Wednesday 1st April 2020. Please can I have copy for the newsletter by Friday 20th March 2020. You can send in copy by post to Neil Cooke, 38, The Holt, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, TS8 0SQ or by email to cookekn@gmail.com.