Lea
Valley u3a
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Interest Groups online
Interest
Groups Online (abbreviated as IGO) is an online u3a community that gives you
the opportunity to join groups, talks and courses from the comfort of your
home.
Why not pay it a visit? Click on this link:-
Interest Groups online
If you know anyone who might benefit, please pass the information on.
An Exploring London Group outing
Walk
around the Royal Parks.
Hoddesdon Heritage Weekend
Good Friday Nature Walk
Hertford Heath
Our National Office, the Third Age Trust ("TAT") issues monthly online newsletters full of great ideas on how to stay connected and involved. The TAT has asked committees to encourage members to sign up for the newsletter, which can be accessed from the link below:
Either click on the link (or type the website name into your address bar) and then scroll down to the foot of the main page. Under the heading Quick Links there is a heading "Newsletter Signup". Click on this and you are taken to a page where you can input your details and receive the newsletter.
I hope you find this helpful.
Glynis Evans, Chair
| Committee
members and volunteers had a busy couple of days at the end of April,
manning a publicity stand in a prime spot just inside Morrisons’ store
in Hoddesdon, and the Love Hoddesdon Midsummer
Festival in June (see below). We will be repeating our efforts at other venues in the borough during the year, including Tescos at Brookfield |  |
Many we spoke to were keen to hear what we’re all about and there was plenty of interest shown. Hopefully, we will see some of these faces again at our Spotlight meeting on July 8th and beyond! A big thank you to all those who helped out on the day and to Lee for her outstanding work in producing all our publicity material.  |  |
Our monthly Newsletter has been produced as
a downloadable (pdf) file, which should be compatible with any
computer. It contains the "Chair Corner" message, details on some forthcoming events and other information about Groups etc.
To view the latest editions please "click" on the link:-
Therefore members need to refer either to the version emailed to you, or the paper versions available at main meetings, as those versions do contain the personal contact information.
Alternatively anyone (members and non-members) can use the club's email system to make contact with us - please refer to the top of the left hand margin of this page, and go to the 'CONTACTS' page, and the email address is in the margin.
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This year’s AGM will be held on Monday 14th October and it’s not too early for you to put in your nomination for a committee post. We are looking to fill several posts. Please click on the link for more information. Please consider supporting your u3a as a committee member.
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We
are delighted to say that plans are well underway to restore catering
in the bar and café area at the Spotlight, so our members can once more
have lunch there before our main meetings.
Until this is finally resolved, I am glad to say that pizza (whole or by the slice) will be available, as well as a selection of sandwiches.
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LVu3a’s 19th FUN QUIZ – Mon 4th Nov 2024 1:30pm Our next quiz will take place on 4th November, at our usual venue (St
Augustine’s Parish Centre, Broxbourne), so save the date!
Tickets will go on sale from our
July main meeting. As before the ticket price will be £2 for LVU3A members
and £2.50 for non-members, including tea and cake.
In order that we can set out the hall for the attendees and cater appropriately, tickets must be
purchased (or reserved) in advance; they will not be available on the door.
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A first for the LVu3a when, on June 7th , we invited some of the animals from the mini zoo at Cedars Park Nature Centre to our Interest Afternoon. Along with their keeper, Ranger Stuart, we enjoyed a most informative and interesting afternoon finding out about the lives of these creatures. We met seven of the residents of the Nature Centre, including a bearded dragon, a tenrec, a python and a tarantula! Stuart was extremely knowledgeable and answered the many questions we had for him.
It’s not every day a u3a member can hold a tarantula, but fearless Stan Benton did just that! If you were unable to attend, you can meet these animals and many others at Cedars Park in Cheshunt www.cedarsnaturecentre.co.uk
Great for young grandchildren!
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EXPLORING LONDON 6 EVENT
On
11th July Exploring London 6 enjoyed a wonderful afternoon amongst
a glorious sea of purple in the Lavender fields at Cadwell Farm near
Hitchin. Our tour guide, Ben, described the different varieties
of lavender growing in the 34 acres at the farm. How it is cultivated
and harvested was explained to us as well as the history of Cadwell
Farm and how the owners re-launched the lavender industry in Hitchin
around 25 years. We were given scissors and a paper bag to pick
our own lavender to take home!
Following lunch in the Barn Café, we could then further explore at our leisure.
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Sherrie
McDaid the Mayor of Broxbourne stopped to chat with Glynis, Tim and
Lesley at the LVu3a publicity table at St Augustine Church’s
Summer Fair on Saturday 13th July.
She showed a keen
interest in what we had to say about our u3a and was impressed with all
the information displayed on our publicity boards.
Our Interest Afternoon with Alison White gave us an insight into her love of creative textiles over several decades and how it has become her business today. You can see samples of her work at www.sheepythings.com
There are always plenty of interesting online learning events free to join to be found at:
Here are just a few:
- Mindfulness and Meditation
- Taking revenge: Artemisia Gentileschi’s Quest for Justice
- Help Us Remember with the War Memorials Register
- Laughter Yoga with Judith
- Vaccines
- London 2012 – A Games Maker’s Story
- Expert tips and Essential Apps for Effortless Online Living
- Secrets of the Human Brain: Talk Six: Your Spinal Cord
- Celestial marvels: Demystifying the Cosmos
- Darkness on the Edge of Town: Bruce Springsteen and the American dream
.
We are delighted to announce a new range of services to those who sign-up to receive the u3a Friends newsletter.
u3a
Friends Extra is a benefits website developed exclusively for members
of the u3a Friends newsletter community. The website provides access to
a wide range of offers, discounts and additional services. Friends
Extra is completely free to access. Anyone signed up to the u3a Friends
newsletter can now also make savings on well-known brands, shopping,
travel, days out and more. Offers and services on Friends Extra include:
✓ Health and wellbeing
✓ Shopping savings on major brands and retail discounts
✓ Travel and holidays
✓ Leisure offers, like family days out, trips to the cinema and theatre
✓ Insurance offers on car, travel and medical insurance
✓ Access to financial advice and a legal helpline.
It also currently offers a 25% off the price of English Hertitage membership:-
"Looking for a fun day out with family and friends? Members
of u3a Friends Extra can enjoy 25% off* annual membership at English
Heritage - giving you unlimited access to England’s most stunning
historical places, including Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire (pictured.) This offer
is exclusively for members of u3a Friends Extra - join the scheme now at www.u3a.org.uk .
*Terms and conditions apply. Offers not in conjunction with any
other offer. Only valid on new memberships paying by Annual Direct Debit.
Accompanying children must be under 18 and within the family group. Offers
subject to change without notice. u3a Friends Extra is managed and run on
behalf of u3a by Parliament Hill Ltd."
To become a ‘Friend’, simply sign up to receive the Friends Newsletter on the u3a website via the link below.
Each issue of the Friends Newsletter will include a link to the Friends
Extra benefits website and highlight one of the offers. This is just
one element of the u3a Friends newsletter, which brings together
stories from local u3a groups, learning opportunities and news of
upcoming events to highlight the fun and learning within the u3a
community.
u3a Friends Newsletter shares news from u3as, national
learning opportunities and access to u3a Friends Extra, a wide range of offers,
discounts and services.
Go to the u3a website, and sign up via the "Get Involved" tab:
www.u3a.org.uk
KEEP UP WITH OUR NEWS
 | Our
Knit & Natter group, which opened early in 2023, has been very
successful. We have all made lots of new friends, had lots of tea,
coffee and biscuits and lots of laughs! We have all learnt new skills and shared our tips with everyone. We have recently made knitted and crochet squares which have been sewn together to make blankets which have gone to the hospice department at Princes Alexandra Hospital, Harlow. These were done with the Dobbs Weir Crafty Cuppa group who also meet at the hall and knit and natter too! Gill Fowke |
 | NEEDLE FELTING On another crafty note, one of our members would be interested in starting a Needle Felting group. Needle felting is a creative craft that involves sculpting shapes and figures using wool and special felting needles. If you are interested please contact Glynis Evans (Chair) |
 | SECRETARY'S TABLE It’s always good to chat with you when stopping to read our notice boards in the foyer of the Spotlight at our main monthly meetings. The boards are updated each month so it’s always worth having a read to keep abreast of dates and events. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting. |
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CHAIR’S CORNER
(COPIED FROM THE JULY 2024 NEWSLETTER)
I
will start this month by saying a big “Thank You” to all those members
who helped with running our publicity stall at the Love Hoddesdon
Festival day on Sunday 23rd June. We will also be having a stall at the
summer fair on Saturday 13th July at St Augustine’s Church, Broxbourne.
I find it hard to believe it’s July already which means it is time once more for our special annual “Garden Party” meeting on Monday 8th July. We will be welcoming back Mark Smith from the BBC as our guest speaker and he will be telling us all about “A Day on the Antiques Roadshow”.
We will be providing refreshments of tea/coffee or a soft drink and cake, which will be will be available after
Mark Smith’s talk. As you arrive at the Spotlight, make sure you get
your ticket to exchange for your drink at the bar. You can use your
drinks ticket either before or after the main meeting.
For those of you who like to have lunch ahead of our main monthly meeting, pizza and sandwiches will be available to buy.
When
you arrive at the Spotlight you will find a number of changes which we
are trialling – we hope they will be changes for the better and would
welcome feedback from our members.
The first change you will
notice is that our Meet and Greet team will be registering members. As
you go into the Spotlight foyer you need to go to the correct place to
show your card and sign in – there will be 3 stations: one for people
with surnames starting A – E, one for F – M and one for N – Z. We hope
this will not cause too much in the way of delays, but of course there
may be the odd hiccup the first time we are trying this so please be
patient.
The second change you will notice is that our group
tables will no longer be in the café/bar area but behind the seating in
the auditorium. Many of our members have found it very frustrating that
there were no tables left for them to sit at for refreshments, but
hopefully this will improve the situation, And please do visit the
group tables in their new location.
Our Interest Afternoon this month is on Friday 12th July at the Barclay Hall, Hoddesdon. Textile artist Alison White will be telling us all about the “Sheepythings”
she makes from British wool. As usual the afternoon will start at 2pm
with drinks and cakes and a chance for a chat, ahead of the talk.
I hope to see as many of you as possible at our Garden Party meeting on
July 8th at the Spotlight and/or at our Interest Afternoon at the
Barclay Hall on July 12th.June.
Chair
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY
Monday 9th September, Main Meeting - Speaker - Tony Tutton - “That'll Be The Day”. The life, music and influence of Buddy Holly. Tony Tutton is a guitarist, drummer and Lead singer.
Friday 27th September 2024, Interest Afternoon (Barclay Hall - 2pm Tickets £3) - Speakers - Members Mary & Laurence Cole - "New Zealand". Mary and Laurence speak about their recent memorable visit "down under".
Friday 10th October 2024, Interest Afternoon (Barclay Hall - 2pm Tickets £3) - Speaker - David Pracey - "Why my Grandfather went to prison".
Monday 14th October, Main Meeting - Speakers - Christine and Peter Padwick - “All Things Banned and Censored” The talk is a light-hearted survey of banning and censorship over the past 100 years or so, with pictures,songs and anecdotes.
Monday 4th November 2024 , Fun Quiz (Parish Centre, St Augustines Church, Broxbourne) - See entry further up this page.
Monday 11th November, Main Meeting - Speaker - Colin Oakes “A Hertfordshire Christmas”The talk looks at how the people of Hertfordshire celebrated Christmas over the ages.It includes Charles Dickens and Anthony Trollope’s time in the season here, and local visits to see Father Christmas.
Monday 9th December, Main Meeting - Christmas Social in the Spotlight Bar. No speaker.
SEE WHAT OUR u3a CAN OFFER YOU
One of our members, John Astin, produced another excellent video in December 2019 showing what happens at Lea Valley u3a. Sadly John passed away in March 2021.
The video includes comments from a few members who explain what joining us has meant to them, and an insight into what some of our groups get up to.
It is available to watch on YouTube.To view, please click on the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ECUfIJ7nn8
Playreading Group
.
Come along to our group on the first and third Thurdays monthly at 2pm to enjoy the world of theatre. Click on the poster for more information:-
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East of England Region of U3As
The East of England region comprises the six counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. The website can be viewed via the following link:-
https://u3asites.org.uk/east-of-england/home
"Regional News Bulletins" are published each month containing details of this month’s events and presentations both regionally and nationally. The latest edition can be viewed by going to their website. then click on the "Publications" link at the top of the Home page.
Group Sharing Agreement
The idea behind this is that where any of the other 6 u3as have groups that are keen to increase their numbers, they can open the group to members of LVU3A, and you will be allowed to attend those groups without having to join the other u3a. Conversely, where we have groups that are struggling with low numbers, they can participate and open themselves up to members of the other 6 u3as.
It is very important to note is that members of our u3a can’t just see a group in another u3a newsletter and go along and join it. Only those groups which are struggling to be viable and which have agreed to open up to members from other participating u3as can be approached.
1) Broxbourne
Please click on the link to go to the relevant page on Broxbourne u3a's Group Sharing page on their website:
https://broxbourne.u3asite.uk/broxbourne-groups-open-for-sharing
2) Buntingford
Please click on the link to go to the relevant page on Buntingford u3a's Group Sharing page on their website:
Please note this link is currently in draft form awaiting updating, and does
NOT show the Buntingford groups that are in this scheme:
https://u3asites.org.uk/buntingford/page/110569
3) Cheshunt
Please click on the link to go to the relevant page on Cheshunt u3a's Group Sharing page on their website:
https://u3asites.org.uk/cheshunt/page/110585
4) Hertford & District
Please click on the link to go to the relevant page on Hertford & District u3a's Group Sharing page on their website:
5) Waltham Abbey
Please click on the link to go to the relevant page on Waltham Abbey u3a's Group Sharing page on their website:
6) Ware
Please click on the link to go to the relevant page on Ware u3a's Group Sharing page on their website:
https://u3asites.org.uk/ware/page/111056
The groups at Lea Valley U3A which have agreed to open up their groups to the other u3a's in this arrangement (as at March 2022) can be found by opening this link:
LVu3a Group Sharing
If you have a query about the scheme, please contact me.
Lea Valley u3a's Constitution
Under the recommendation of the Third Age Trust, many u3as amended their constitutions to facilitate new methods of voting and holding AGM's and SGM's (Special General Meetings) etc both during and after the pandemic, to ensure that they could operated legally without breaking any of their own 'rules'. Lea Valley u3a's constitution was updated in August 2021. It can be viewed by clicking on the link below:-
Lea Valley u3a's Privacy Policy
Lea Valley u3a treats members' privacy rights seriously. The policy document in the link below sets out how we will deal with your ‘personal information’, that is information that could identify, or is related to the identity of, any Lea Valley u3a individual member.
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Disputes (Complaints, Discipline and Grievances)
You can view these by clicking on the links below:-
Complaints Procedure
Disciplinary Procedure
Grievance Procedure
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO LISTEN TO CHILDREN READ IN LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Please visit the website www.schoolreaders.org to join or call 01234 924111 for further information, or click on this link:
BArts offers activities and events which are not usually provided by the Borough of Broxbourne's Leisure and Entertainments programme.
www.broxbournearts.org.uk
Lea Valley Discussion Group
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