Redbridge & District

Latest News

STILL WANT TO RECEIVE TAM MAGAZINE? YOU’LL NEED TO OPT IN!
Due to the additional cost of the Third Age Magazine (TAM) – now known as U3A Matters – if you still wish to receive that publication you will need to OPT IN. You can do this by emailing the Secretary, Lynda Ingram.
If she does not hear from you by 31st May, your name will be deleted from the (TAM) distribution list.
Posted on 20th April 2024

Message from our Groups Coordinator
I just want to remind everyone that our u3a is run for our members by our members and without our wonderful Group Leaders offering their time and effort to support us all, there would be no u3a. You don’t have to be an expert - just have an interest and be willing to donate some of your time. If you want to discuss opening a new group, I can assist you. So please give me a call.
Marilyn Hendleman
Posted on 20th April 2024

Kew Gardens Visits
Do you fancy a visit to beautiful Kew Gardens and to get in for free?
This offer is available to Redbridge u3a members only (not spouses or kin if not members). You will need to get there under your own steam.
You can visit more than once so you could go in summer and then again in autumn as long as there are still spaces available and that you book with us beforehand.
Please contact Maureen Nieberg if interested.
Updated on 20th April 2024

TWO NEW GROUPS
KNIT AND NATTER - 1st Monday of every month 10.00 – 12.00 in Barkingside. Starting 3rd June. Please contact Andrea Yeshin if you are interested.
LEARN BRIDGE FROM A PROFESSIONAL TEACHER – ALL LEVELS beginners through to experienced. At Oaks Lane, Newbury Park. 10.00 – 12.00 the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. If you have never played the game before this is a great opportunity to begin to learn the greatest card game ever invented. Please contact Bernard Kaye to discuss further. Please note that Bernard is away until 23rd April so don’t expect a reply before then. CLASSES BEGIN Wednesday 1st May.
Posted on 20th April 2024

Meet Committee Member Denise Kaye
Committee Member, Denise Kaye worked for 52 years, from 13 to 65. She started in a hairdressers, and progressed to working in the lab at Hackney Hospital for many years. She has also been a head-teacher at a Hebrew School, a holistic therapist, teacher of chair based exercises and worked in Social Care. This was alongside her dramatic input for 17 years to the Wadham Players, where she played diverse roles on stage. Now she puts her energies into organising activities for the residents where she lives and fulfils various roles in our U3A. During covid she ran a philosophy group on zoom, and still organises a History Group in her flat. How does she find the time?

For the past 7 years she has organised, together with coach-driver Matthew, a varied coach excursion programme for us. Currently the tour of Oxfordshire villages is full, but there are still spaces on coach trip to Southend-on-Sea on 4th July which costs £19.00. It is also possible to join Denise on her free trip to Kew on Tuesday 4th June, for which travel is by London Transport.

So don’t delay - contact Denise to book your place on these summer outings!!
Posted on 20th April 2024

London Region Summer Walks and Visits
We are delighted to announce the launch of bookings for the Summer Walks and Visits Programme 2024. Between 21st May and 23rd July, we are offering an exciting programme of 31 walks and visits to museums/galleries around central London.
There will be a choice of guided walks in areas such as Westminster, South Kensington, Bloomsbury, Fitzrovia, Camden, Regents Park and The City. In addition, there will be guided tours at visitor attractions such as the National Portrait Gallery, British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Guildhall Art Gallery and talks at the Natural History Museum.
The online Programme includes information about each event, plus a direct link to the relevant online Booking Form.
Each event, which is for u3a members only, is priced at just £10 per person (no refunds).
Maximum capacity is 20 participants per guided walk, and 15 participants for each guided visit.
Based on previous experience we expect tickets to sell quickly. Online booking is highly recommended to avoid delay and disappointment in booking confirmation.
The online Programme is available here: LRu3aSummerWalks.
With best wishes on behalf of the London Region Events Team
Catherine Ware - Talks Coordinator, bookings.lru3a@gmail.com
Updated on 22nd March 2024

Message from the Chair
Hello Everyone
Thank you to all who managed to attend our AGM at Wanstead Library. We believe the Library is a better meeting place for our Open Meetings, and it was wonderful to see so many of you. We were very lucky to have as our guest speaker our local MP Wes Streeting. He gave an impassioned talk about what he will do, with particular reference to the NHS, if Labour wins the next election. He also answered many questions from the floor, in fact his driver had to remind him that he had to leave to get back to the Commons. The meeting was then chaired by Madam Mayor who took over, while the new Committee was elected. The names put forward for the new Committee were unopposed, so your new Committee was duly elected. You can find their names and email addresses on the back page of the Newsletter. Please do get in touch with us if you have any queries, ideas to put forward, or you would like to start a new group. We are all in this together and without our Committee and our members we would not function. So please do not think the Committee are autocratic, we need you, your participation and support.
Best wishes and I hope to see many of you at our next Open Meeting on Monday 25 March.
Elaine Mitchell
Posted on 22nd March 2024

SPECIAL OFFER: EXTRA KEW GARDENS VISIT ARRANGED on Friday 17th May
For Redbridge u3a members only travelling by London Transport
Admission Free - Time TBA. Numbers limited so first come, first on the list.
Please contact Denise Kaye
Posted on 22nd March 2024

SAE TO HAVE NEWSLETTER SENT TO YOU
If you wish to have Newsletter posted to you please give Lynda Ingram, Membership Secretary, medium sized stamped addressed envelopes.
Alternatively, for those without email, printed copies are available at Open Meetings.
Posted on 22nd March 2024

Succesful AGM - New Committee elected
It was an excellent AGM, our MP Wes Streeting gave an interesting talk on his position as Shadow Health Secretary and answered questions from the floor. The meeting was then handed to the Worshipful The Mayor of Redbridge, Councillor Jyotsna Islam, while your new Committee was elected. (Please see the new Committee on our Meet the Committee page).
I must say Madam Mayor carried out that part of the proceedings extremely well and congratulated all new Committee members 😁.
Business done, the Mayor talked about her time as a social worker. Well that’s another AGM until next year.
Elaine Mitchell
Posted on 28th February 2024

Changes are happening
Its AGM time again and changes are happening. Your Committee are very sorry to be losing Howard and Loretta Mather and Nicholas Levin from their Committee roles, and we wish them well. All three have given many years of time, effort and hard work in order to progress our U3A in many ways. Howard has kindly agreed to continue leading groups, to develop our Facebook page and to liaise with other local U3As. The idea being that some activities can be shared to the benefit of all, giving us additional choices of groups to attend.
However, this now means that we are seeking new members on the Committee. New people who will bring different skills and ideas. Please put yourself forward if you wish to be considered. Speak to Elaine, our chairperson, or any other Committee member to discuss further.
U3A is an organisation that expects all its members to contribute in some way. It may be that you lead a group, or give your home for an activity, or even help register attendees or make the tea at Open Meetings. The only reason our fees are so reasonable and there is such a wide choice of activities to attend, is because all the work is done by us, the members. Did you know the main way we gain new members is by word of mouth? You can play your part, by telling friends and acquaintances about U3A, and inviting them to come to an activity or meeting with you.
Posted on 19th February 2024

NEW REDBRIDGE GROUPS RUN JOINTLY WITH RODING VALLEY U3A
Curry Club
Wine Appreciation
Whist
Bridge, (For players only, no tuition)
For further information contact Howard
Posted on 19th February 2024

TRY SOMETHING NEW IN MARCH WITH OUR ONE-OFF TASTER SESSIONS VIA ZOOM
Read, Discuss, Enjoy - Monday 11th March 4pm – 5pm
This taster session is a spin off from the monthly Zoom Book Group.
The 1 hour session will explore, using video clips and discussion;
1) Popular novels that are made into films
2) Discussing novels with a group
3) How to find your next great read
To attend/enquire: contact Hazel Earwaker

Finding Justice - Tuesday 12th March 4pm – 5pm
This taster session is a spin off from the Justice & Law group.
The 1 hour session will use video clips and discussion to explore a few basic aspects of our justice system;
1) Defending defence
2) Who can afford justice?
3) Punishment or rehabilitation – does prison work?
To attend/enquire: contact Hazel Earwaker
Posted on 19th February 2024

FREE DIGITAL TRAINING SESSIONS
The friendly team at U3A have offered to run free training sessions to boost your skills with mobile phones, laptops, computers and tablets. Group or individual sessions can be arranged at your pace and tailored to your needs.
Get training on topics including: • An Introduction to the Internet • Getting to know your mobile or Tablet • Staying Safe Online • Getting started with Email • Using Social Media, e.g. Facebook • Watching TV online • How to access Public Services • Downloading Apps • How to make a video call • How to manage your health online • How to bank and shop online
If you would like to join a session then please contact Stuart and I will get back to you with the date , time and Zoom link if and when it is set up.
Stuart Wallman
Posted on 19th February 2024

Message from Stuart Wallman, Treasurer
Please ensure that if you pay any money into Redbridge and District u3a’s bank account by BACS (ELECTRONIC BANKING) that you include a reference so that we know what you are paying for . We receive many payments and need to correctly place the funds to ensure that each group covers costs for tutors and trainers.
Posted on 19th February 2024

Please note we have adopted a new door entry procedure at Oaks Lane
When members arrive at the green gates, please announce you are from the u3a and what group you are attending. No need for your name.
Can the first member of your group please put the main building door on the latch. Then when it is the start time of your group, can a member of your group please take the door off the latch and Deborah will let in any stragglers.
Posted on 19th February 2024

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Happy New Year to you all and welcome to 2024.
We are now halfway through our membership year and our groups are thriving. However, we are always looking out for new groups and new initiatives. If you have an activity you would like to see on our timetable, or an additional group you wish to start because the existing one is full, then contact Marilyn Hendleman (our group coordinator). She and the Committee will be able to help with the formation, initial set up and running of a new group.

Change of Venue for Open Meetings: PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR OPEN MEETINGS FROM FEBRUARY ONWARDS WILL BE HELD AT WANSTEAD LIBRARY. Our AGM on Monday 26 February 2024 will be at Wanstead. We will be delighted to welcome as our guest at this meeting Wes Streeting, Labour MP for Ilford North and Shadow Secretary of State for Health & Social Care.

Earlier in the week you will have received the papers for this AGM, which includes a list of who is running for Executive office and the rest of the Committee. If you feel you could help with the running of Redbridge & District U3A, do contact me to discuss, or send in your nomination to join the Committee.

I hope to see you all at our next two Open Meetings.
Elaine Mitchell
Chair
Posted on 21st January 2024

DO YOU WANT TO HELP MONITOR LOCAL AIR QUALITY?
We Care for Our Air is a project by Redbridge Council to help improve local air quality.
We will provide everything required for monitoring and regularly share the results with Redbridge residents. You can watch this short video to see how the monitoring works in practice. The air quality monitoring will run until the end of September 2024.
This requires a monthly commitment of a few minutes swapping your air tube which you affix to a lamppost outside your house, plus time to collect the new air tube which you will collect each month from a participating library (list below). You will be given a list of swap over dates.

If you would like to be a part of the project, please contact :-
air@mappingforchange.org.uk with the details of where you would like to monitor and the monthly drop off/collection point that is most convenient for you either Redbridge, Fullwell Cross, Goodmayes or Wanstead Libraries.
Posted on 21st January 2024

New Group Activities
In the coming weeks we'll be commencing a couple of new activities. Unforeseen external events have curtailed my availability the last month or so, but I look forward to leading the following:
Tenpin Bowling, in The Brewery, Romford.
Golf Fore Fun, underground at Bank.
I'm having discussions with a couple of neighbouring u3as with a view to create more choice of activities for all our members. As and when they come online I'll be letting you all know.
Cheers
Howard
Posted on 25th November 2023

MESSAGE FROM GROUPS CO-ORDINATOR
Many of you may know me. I have been a member of Redbridge U3A since January 2018.
Before I retired, I worked for 27 years at a large law firm in Canary Wharf. For 17 of those years I worked in the Community Department, primarily creating, organising and advertising volunteering programmes for which the 3000 members of the firm could participate. I organised reading schemes, mentoring programmes and collections for the disadvantaged. I also organised around 150 lawyers, assisted by law students, at 4 free legal advice clinics held every week around London.
I loved my job, but unexpectedly and most suddenly, in June 2017, I found myself retired. It was a terrible shock. I did eventually join every pensioner group I could find but joining Redbridge u3a absolutely saved my sanity. I not only made wonderful friends, but also found lots of new interests, thanks primarily to all our fantastic group leaders and to our members.
It has genuinely been a delight meeting so many of you through my role, and I would especially like to thank Andrea Yeshin, who has taken on the role of contacting group leaders when necessary.
Please remember that our u3a is run by the members for the members, so is only as good as our members make it. It is totally dependent on our volunteer Group Leaders. If you have an interest you would like to share with others, the National Office has lots of expertise on organising groups and subject advisors. If you are willing to start a new group, I would be happy to help you with publicity, venue, and any other assistance you may require. See contact details at the end of our Newsletter.
Marilyn Hendleman
Posted on 25th November 2023

IMPORTANT MESSAGE
As you all know the u3a charity is a non-political, non-religious and agnostic group, in these troubling times we will not allow members or guests who attend any of our activities to wear any form of political attire, ensignia or badge which could cause offence. All members should be treated with respect and courtesy. I am sure you all agree this is the correct course of action to take.
Regards
Elaine Mitchell
Chair
Posted on 2nd November 2023

Refreshments
Owing to the increased price of refreshments, Group Leaders will collect 50p from group members from 1st October onwards.
Posted on 25th September 2023

MESSAGE FROM THE MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
Hello dear U3a Members
Let me introduce myself – I am the current membership secretary for Redbridge & District u3a and it has been lovely meeting and speaking to so many of you when you have renewed your membership over the few weeks. It has also been wonderful to see so many new members joining us each month. Hopefully they are attending some of the numerous activities that are on offer and, of course, making new friends (which is what it’s all about, isn’t it?).
However, there are still some of you who have not yet renewed your membership for the current year (1 August 2023 – 31 July 2024) and I would urge you please to do so as soon as possible, so that you are not excluded from the activities that you attend. This is, of course, something that we would all prefer to avoid as we cherish each and every one of you. So PLEASE PLEASE renew your membership by filling in the attached membership form and sending it to me (my details are on the form) with your cheque for £25 (or by bank transfer as mentioned on the form).
One further important point to mention – if at all possible please supply an email address, either your own or a family member. This will ensure that you do not miss out, not only the monthly newsletter, but also all the other national and local u3a events that are sent out regularly.
Finally, may I take this opportunity once again to thank each and every one of you who has renewed/joined our u3a and I look forward to meeting many more of you soon.
Kind regards
Lynda Ingram
Posted on 25th September 2023

MESSAGE FROM A TRAINEE TREASURER
I had previously some 3 years ago been on the committee as membership secretary. I decided to offer my services once again as Lennart was standing down as treasurer and there was no one else offering to undertake the role.
This was maybe foolhardy as I have no accountancy experience but with the help of the previous treasurer, I slowly got to understand the process. I also convinced Maurice Nieberg to take on the role of joint treasurer so that there was cover during my holidays. This seems to have worked out as Maurice also has easy access to his local National Westminster bank so he can easily deposit cheques and cash. Joining the committee again provides me with a voice on how to make our u3a a success now and in the future.
It has been quite an eye opener learning how much banking you can do online and how cumbersome the bank system can sometimes be, but if I can do this then anyone with a little knowledge of Microsoft Excel can manage it.
Regards
Stuart Wallman
Posted on 15th August 2023

MESSAGE FROM THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR
If you do not attend many activities offered by our u3a, had you realised there are over 70 groups (with new ones starting each month). The majority are in person, with the rest offered remotely via Zoom. It’s good for our brain health to be challenged, engage with something new and socialise. Only a small proportion of our activity groups are featured in each Newsletter. So take a look at the full timetable which can be found on the Groups page of the website and make contact with those groups with spaces, and you will be welcomed.
The Committee are trying to limit the size of the Newsletter so that it will be easier to read, offer more local news and keep printing costs down. If the size of some group advertisements can be reduced slightly this will help. Therefore, it would be helpful if group insertions are kept to a maximum of 80 words or less. It’s the most equitable solution.
I have only recently joined the Committee to edit this Newsletter, as Lennart has resigned from many of the tasks he has performed for years. Fortunately for our U3A, he still works hard sending out mailings and updating the Redbridge & District u3a website. This website contains an immense amount of local and national u3a information.
As a ‘new girl’ to the Committee, I would add how surprised I am to see how hard your Committee works on behalf of over 400 members. It would therefore be immensely helpful if you renewed your membership sooner rather than later. This would mean Committee members have no need to call and remind you - on top of their other duties.
Hope you have been enjoying the sun and all your summer activities.
Best wishes
Evelyn
Posted on 23rd July 2023