Newsletter 105 January 2024
A Happy and Healthy 2024 to all our Members!
A wonderful time was had by all at our December Social
Our entertainer for the December social was a singer called Mark Sedgwick. He sang varied and popular songs, whilst mingling with the audience at each table. He had a good personality and it seems to matter to him that he engaged with the people there. The end part of his act encouraged lots of the members to get up and dance. He would have carried on for longer had time permitted. He made it a very enjoyable afternoon along with the good food and company.
Our thanks go to everyone who helped with the preparations to make it such an enjoyable afternoon.
Entrance to St Michael’s Hall
Doors to the hall will open at 1.45 unless the set-up is ready earlier.
We are asking you to show your BLUE membership card at the door. Should you have forgotten it (and we all do at times) then you will be asked to have your name checked off on the membership list by Jill Thomas. You can use either the main entrance or the entrance door at the rear. This rear door has a level entrance, especially useful if you are having difficulty with the front step to the Hall. Any of the “Meet and Greet Team” can direct you. Please make use of this entrance if it is useful. Just ask.
Finance:
We held a very successful Quiz evening in November which made £222.17 after expenses. The Christmas raffle made a profit of £178.43. All these monies go to boost the u3a funds, which enables the membership fees to remain unaltered.
There will be an Easter raffle at the March meeting.
Membership renewal: It is time to start thinking of Membership renewal for 2024 -25. This will take place at the March meeting. The renewal letters will be given out next month. If you are unlikely to attend can you arrange for a friend to pick it up please? You will be able to pay by cash, cheque, card or BACS. Fees are not changing - £20 single, £37 couple or £17 if a member of another u3a.
Death Notice: I am sad to tell you of the death of one of our long standing members’, Betty Miller. Her funeral is on the 1st February. If you would like to attend please let me know for further details and so that I can inform the organizer. Pauline Griffin
GROUP NEWS
We are planning to hold a “Groups” display to encourage the startup of more groups at the March Membership renewal meeting. In the meantime, there are vacancies in the following groups, which meet monthly unless otherwise stated:
Creative Writing – two spaces - final Tuesday of each month - Please contact Maureen Wright
Flower Arranging – two spaces - days vary - Please contact June Findley
Games Group - one space - 2nd Friday 1.30-3.30 - Please contact Janis Rudland
Grumpy Group - 3rd Friday 12.15- 12.30pm – venue: George Staples Pub, Blackfen. Please contact Marlene Harmer
Local History – one space - 3rd Monday 2 - 4pm, Bexleyheath Library. Please contact Marlene Harmer
Monday 10.00am Walking Group – open to all – meet weekly outside The Stables, Danson Park. For more details please contact Jarka Rome
Play Reading - one space, possibly two – 1st Friday afternoon. Please contact Jackie Power
Rummikub - one space - 1st Friday 10.30 - 12.30 - Please contact Janis Rudland
Sunday Lunch – open to anyone who is alone for Sunday lunch last Sunday each month 12.00 for 12.30. Next meeting 28th January 2024. Please contact Kathy Dersley
TLC (Tea, Latte and Chat) Group – open to all - at Brewers Fayre, in Bexleyheath, on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 10.30am. The next dates will be 23rd January and 27th February. Just turn up and make new friends.
Thursday Lunch Club – open to all - 1st Thursday 12.30pm – Venue decided at previous meeting. Please contact Marlene Harmer
VISITS and EVENTS
Please report any accidents whilst on a trip to the visit leader, no matter how small, in case of later insurance issues.
IMPORTANT
If you are unable to turn up for any visit, especially on the day, please contact one of the Visits Team to ensure they are not waiting for you:
• Marisa Miller
• Pauline Reed
• Irene Thorley
• Pauline Williams
Tuesday 13th February - Bank of England Museum: Max 20, Free entry.
The museum takes about an hour to go round, they don't have a cafe but there are plenty nearby.
Accessibility: There are three steps up to the museum entrance on Bartholomew Lane. Once through these doors, there are three more steps into the museum. There are also a few steps going up and down into some of the galleries inside the museum. Portable ramps are available if needed. There is an accessible toilet and some seating in the main gallery
Names will be taken at the January meeting.
Thursday, 7th March - Metropolitan Police Museum, Marlowe House, Sidcup, plus eating at The Walnuts, Sidcup afterwards: Max 10, Free entry.
The Metropolitan Police’s Museum team look after objects, archives, books and photographs relating to the history of the Met since 1829. The tour is booked for 11am.
Accessibility: No details to date.
Names will be taken at the January meeting, including whether you want to eat at The Walnuts afterwards, so that the restaurant can be booked in advance.
Names have to be given to the museum at time of booking so no changes will be allowed once the final list is confirmed. ID will be required on the day.
24th to 29th March (Good Friday) 2024 - Holiday to Blackpool - 6 days. - Cost £599
For further details, please see Irene Thorley
Wednesday 10th April - Petworth House (National Trust) Sussex. Max 33 - Cost £19 plus £17.50 if not a National Trust member. Non-members pay entry on the day.
This 17th-century house displays one of the finest art collections in the care of the National Trust, including work by Van Dyck, Turner, Reynolds and Gainsborough. The collection highlights a journey through 900 years of history, such as the earliest English globe in existence (1592) and carvings by Grinling Gibbons. The Servants’ Quarters and historic kitchens show a glimpse into the life of the people who worked here. The Pleasure Garden features formal borders, woodland walks, and architectural features, such as the Ionic Rotunda. The 700-acre Deer Park was transformed in the 1750 by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
Accessibility: although some areas are not easily accessible i.e parts of the house and gardens there is still plenty that are.
Welcome leaflet includes a garden map highlighting the main path, path surfaces, benches, slopes, steps, mobility buggy collection points and toilet locations. House and Servants' Quarters map highlights steps, available ramps, toilets and room locations.
Names and money will be taken at the February and March meetings.
Monday 13th May - Tour of The Royal Mews: Max 20 - Cost £16.00.
The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace is responsible for all road travel arrangements for The King and members of the Royal Family, from horse-and-carriage to car. Real working stables, including the iconic 260-year-old Gold State Coach, used at State occasions
Accessibility: The Royal Mews is fully accessible with an accessible toilet and seating. There is no cafe but they are available nearby
Names and money will be taken at the March meeting.
Thursday 6th June - Tour of The Charterhouse, London:, Max 20 - Cost £12.
More information nearer the time.
Wednesday 3rd July - Day trip to Brighton by coach: Max 52 - Cost £16.
Names and money will be taken at the April and May meetings.
Please Note: Whenever a free place is given to the organizer of any visit or trip then that saving is spread across the whole group on cost of the visit, so everyone benefits. Free places are NOT accepted by the group leader themselves.
NON u3a EVENTS
Afternoon teas and entertainment at Barton Close
• Thursday 1st February - entertainment followed by tea and cake 1.30 – 3.45pm. The cost is £5 per head.
• Tuesday 20th February - entertainment followed by tea and cake, 2.30 to 4.00pm. The cost is £5 per head.
Please give Phil Hinton a call if you are interested.
Age UK – Nail Cutting Service
New clinics are opening in Bromley and Greenwich. A toe nail cutting service is offered to residents. The cost is £25 for the first appointment (including tools for you to keep) and £20 for following appointments. An additional service, at £5, is offered for finger nail cutting. To find out more or book an appointment: 020 8315 1853/1867
Members Meetings and Speakers
24th January 2024 - Paul Holloway – more tales of being a Mayor's Chauffuer
28th February 2024 - Richard Winstone – Wildlife Photography
27th March 2024 Membership renewal meeting and groups displays
24th April 2024 - Sue Sauter – The British hospital for mothers and babies
22nd May 2024 - Delia Taylor – Pre-Raphaelites, their lives, lovers and legacy
26th June 2024 - Melanie Gibson Barton - Eva Braun
24th July 2024 - Summer Social – entertainers The Rockin’ Eddies. Ticket only.
28th August 2024 - Chris Davis - London talks - Insight into Islington
25th September 2024 - Marie Curie Nurses
23rd October 2024 - The Mercy Ships
27th November 2024 - Tony Harris - Henry V111 in costume
18th December 2024 - Christmas Social - Entertainer Annie Gee. Ticket only