Shoreham & Southwick

News

September 2024

From your u3a Shoreham & Southwick Chair ...

A warm welcome back to Shoreham and Southwick u3a for the 2024-2025 season. I hope you enjoyed the summer break and are excited to see both familiar and new faces in your chosen groups and u3a events this September. I would also like to extend a special welcome to our 110 new members, who have joined at our u3a on Open Day and the intervening months. In this bulletin you will find information on:

  • Emergency Contact Details
  • The September Monthly Friday Event
  • New Members Meeting
  • Pop Up Meetings in October
  • Dates for your diary

Emergency Contact Details
A reminder: It is very distressing when there is an emergency and by-standers or emergency services do not know who to contact. You should always carry on you an emergency number, which should be that of your next of kin or a close friend. Please be thoughtful and assist with one (or all) these easy actions:

  • a) Make your emergency contact’s number(s) available on your mobile phone even when it is locked. To do this, see this Emergency Contact article.
  • b) Carry a small card on you at all times with your emergency contact’s details including a phone number. You can always paste it to the reverse of your u3a membership card.
  • c) take a photo of your emergency contact details and use it as your phone's wallpaper.

September Monthly Friday Event
On September 27th we will be welcoming Melanie Gibson-Barton to the Main Hall in The Shoreham Centre at 2.00pm for an illustrated talk: 'Bruges - it's more than just chocolate'
The talk gives insight into another culture, encompassing the history and geography, together with all the modern aspects of this attractive city. For audience members that have visited Bruges the talk will bring back memories and will show that there is much more to see in this city to inspire a return visit to explore in more depth. Even those who know Bruges well will feel inspired to visit again. "Our members are booking their Tunnel crossings already!" reported a delighted host.

As always, you will need to give your name at the registration desk and pay the £2.00 fee. Non-members are welcome to join us for a fee of £3.50. Please find your seat by 1.50 pm ready for the 2.00pm start. The presentation will be followed by tea, coffee, and biscuits.

New Members Meeting
On Thursday September 26th at 2.00pm there will be a New Members Meeting in Room QE2 at The Shoreham Centre. New members will have an opportunity to meet with members of our Committee in an informal setting to share information about our u3a and ask any questions. Tea and coffee will be provided.

Pop-Up Meetings in October
There are 2 pop up meetings planned to take place in October 2024. To register please email Groups Support 2 or write your name on the list on the Membership Table at the September Friday Monthly Event.

1. Encaustic Wax Painting:

  • Host: Susan
  • Date/Time: Tuesday October 22nd at 2.00pm
  • Venue: Room 2, The Shoreham Centre.

Encaustic is an ancient painting method in which wax and pigment are fused onto asurface with heat. The meeting will be a workshop, where each participant 'has a go' and makes a small card, which they can take home. However, before that stage, there will be an opportunity to experiment with the iron and waxes, using glossy photo cards which will be provided. There will be the requirement to pay a nominal amount
for materials.

2. Polish your Presentations

  • Host: Laura Watson & Richard Bingham
  • Date/Time: Friday October 18th @ 2pm
  • Venue: Room 1, The Shoreham Centre

Would you like to give a presentation to your u3a Group ... but lack a bit of confidence? Would you like to learn new presentation skills?
Becoming an active member of a group is one of the most empowering things about the u3a – but presenting a topic takes confidence and a few communication skills. In this fun and interactive Pop-Up Group we will aim to give you both. Together we will:

  • Share our experiences of being a member of an u3a Group – what works well?
  • Develop confidence when talking to a small group.
  • Learn how to present simple content in a more effective way.
  • Practise working in pairs and small groups.
  • Devise a list of “dos and donts” for presenting.
  • Consider next steps, such as learning how to use PowerPoint

The aim is that you will go on to help people in your group learn more about their subject, and for you to acquire some new skills.

Dates for your diary
(All events at The Shoreham Centre, 2 Pond Road, Shoreham by Sea)

  • Thursday September 26th: New Members Meeting. Room QE2
  • Friday September 27th: Monthly Friday Event - 'Bruges - it's more than just chocolate' Main Hall
  • Friday, October 18th: Polish your Presentations Pop Up Group
  • Tuesday October 22nd: Encaustic wax painting Pop Up Group
  • Thursday October 24th: Group Coordinators Meeting.
  • Friday October 25th: Vivien Morgan presents 'Cross-dressed to kill – women who went to war disguised as men.' Main Hall.
  • Friday November 29th: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING at 1.30pm (please arrive by 1.15pm), followed at 2.00pm (approx) by 'Vocal Fusion Acapella', led by Zoe Peate. Main Hall.
  • Friday December 20th: Members Christmas Social Event - 'The Birds of Sussex: Winter’ - a presentation by Matt Phelps. Main Hall.

Finally ... Have you thought about joining the Committee of our u3a, but not sure what it might involve? We are hoping some of you might be interested in ‘shadowing’ current Committee members to ‘learn the ropes’ with a view to maybe standing for election when the time comes. Our u3a can only continue if folk are happy to volunteer for various roles. Please consider what skills you can offer or would like to learn. If you are interested, please do get in touch.

I look forward to seeing you on Friday September 27th and at our future events.

Sue Lawrence
Chair.

Registered Charity No: 1117982