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Barry Garnett Web Site Manager

Chairman's Address

Greetings dear friends and welcome to our July/Aug Newsletter. It seems only yesterday that I was wishing you a Happy Christmas and now we are halfway through another year.

In case you missed last month’s meeting I’ll give you a brief résumé. Our guest speakers were Dale, Keith and Ken – The Witton Park Historical Society. They gave us an in-depth walk back in time, through the various scenarios of this local village - one minute thriving, the next rising like a phoenix from what appeared to be total ashes, the latter being caused by the closure of the pits and iron works. But against all odds the village now stands proud as a modern and vibrant community. Their amazing repertoire of information, jokes and photos of village families (their own played a major part over history) gave a most enjoyable, educational and humorous morning.

I gave an early warning of the AGM in November when the major three year reshuffle occurs once again. If they agree to stand, only three committee members will remain, so please think seriously if you can step into the breach. As I said at the meeting, I have greatly enjoyed my three years as Chairman, especially as I leapt into the deep end after only being a member for a few months! The majority of our current committee all responded to Brian Everett’s ‘call to arms’ at the last ‘reshuffle AGM’ in 2005 – so please accept this as my first ‘call’. I am more than happy to talk (01325 722254) to anyone interested in helping our U3A grow and thrive as without a committee it cannot operate.

My very best wishes to you all for a super summer – don’t forget there is no August meeting.
Val Dodsworth - Chairman

Get Well Wishes

If you know of a member who is particularly unwell, or is approaching a significant birthday (80, 90, 100!), please inform a member of the committee so that as a group we can send our best wishes.

Out and About with U3As

Two new U3As - Mid-Northumbria, and Bede at Jarrow – bring the region’s total to 37. We’re one of the most active regions in the organisation.

The Regional Bird Watching Group celebrated its 10th birthday this year. Their more adventurous trips have included visits to Mull, Mallorca, Spain and several 4-day trips to the Solway, with local visits as far as the Humber Estuary. This autumn they are going to Andalusia for the raptor migration over the Straits of Gibraltar.

The Battle of Flodden Study Day, arranged by Wooler is now fully booked. Winners of this year’s Regional Quiz are Newcastle. Gardeners enjoyed a hanging basket demo in Darlington on one of their many outings. Theatre buffs have been to the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick. Spurred on by the celebrations in Durham last July, a new Recorder Group has sprung up and is soon to give its first public performance.

A joint project between Beamish Museum and local U3As is planned.

The Northumbria Region U3A Newsletter is published four times a year to give everyone in the Region a chance to share events, ideas and keep in touch. The above is just a brief sample.

To get more details contact our secretary or regional rep. Or get your own copy by email direct from the editor regionalu3anews@btinternet.com Any-one can contribute. Last date for the next edition is 31st October – by email, as above, or via our secretary.

At Home with Berwick upon Tweed U3A

The above event, scheduled to take place on 10/11th September 2008, has been cancelled. They offer apologies and ask us to look out for their next event - 10th birthday celebrations in 2013.