NEWS for ...
Petersfield u3a members

Welcome to our latest e-newsletter, giving a quick summary of what’s happening within Petersfield u3a. To find out more, simply click onto the blue links to be taken straight to our website.

Meet the people who keep our u3a running

Your u3a runs smoothly thanks to the dedicated volunteers who form our Management Committee. From top row, left to right: Gary Butler (Treasurer), Titian Fleming (Speaker’s Secretary), Peter Lake (General Projects Supervisor), Peter Clist (General Projects, Groups Language Assistant). Middle row: Doreen Challen (Secretarial Team), Rose Noonan (Secretary). Seated: Tim Willans (IT lead), Jenny Thwaites (Chairperson), and Sandy Stephens (Membership Secretary). Bernice O’Reilly, our Vice Chairperson and Groups Lead, was not available for this photo.

Dates for your Diary

Tuesday 27 January at 2.00pm
Science and Technology - An Introduction to Quasars   
Millions of quasars have been identified because of their amazing brightness. Based on his own spare-time research in galaxies and quasars, David Youll will reveal these fascinating objects, and demonstrate what can be achieved by amateur astronomers in their own homes.

Wednesday 28 January at 10am – 12.30pm
u3a Welcome Team Coffee Morning
All new and existing members welcome. 

Sunday 1 February at 1pm upstairs at The Folly
u3a Members Sunday Lunch 

Monday 9 February at 2.30pm
General Interest - Prague and Mozart’s Travels
Jan Parsons is well known in u3a groups as an excellent speaker on unusual travel itineraries. 

Tuesday 17 February at 2pm
Health Matters - Driving Safely for Longer
Since retiring from the Police, Rob Heard MBE has become a leading voice in road safety for older drivers. He is passionate about helping people stay confident, informed and safe on the road. He will also cover his fascinating work in Roads Policing, Royalty Protection, VIP security and leading major investigations. This enjoyable talk is a ’must’ for anyone who drives – or plans to keep driving – for years to come. 

Wednesday 18 February at 2.30pm
Arts and Heritage - Comparing two geniuses, Constable and Turner

Around & About

• Petersfield Dippers wish u3a Petersfield a Happy and Healthy 2026! “Come and join us and find out how happy and healthy we are and you could be too,” says organiser Kay Lindon. This group certainly looks cheerful and healthy.
  
• Previous lunch attendees have said they would welcome something on a winter’s weekend, so the Sunday Lunch date is set for 1 February, upstairs at The Folly carvery from 1pm. Booking is essential, so please pre-book before 29 January to reserve your place. The Menu and prices are available from The Folly.
  
• Looking forward to Chichester Festival Theatre’s summer programme? Sadly, we won’t be eligible for our usual heavily discounted tickets unless someone steps forward to take over from Chris and Julie Burton, who have managed the ticketing for the last few years. They explain the simple process on the website (see Groups/Chichester Festival Theatre). If you love theatre, why not volunteer to make it happen?
  
• Following the Arts and Heritage Group talk on 18 February about the Constable and Turner exhibition, the Group will visit the exhibition at Tate Britain on Friday, 6 March 2026 at a cost of £40 per person (this covers exhibition entrance and coach costs). Deadline for booking is 16 February.
  
• On Monday 23 February 4.30 – 5.30pm, Churcher’s College is inviting u3a members to another ‘hands-on science workshop’ in the Science block at the college. The topic is The Structure and Function of the Eye and will include a dissection which should be very interesting. Absolutely no previous experience is required. To book your place (and for more information if you haven’t attended before) please email lin.piatek@gmail.com by Wednesday 11 February.

Have Your Say

‘Connect’ always welcomes news and feedback from Petersfield u3a members via editorconnect@petersfieldu3a.org.uk

To ensure the e-newsletter is easy and enjoyable to read and that the style is consistent, the copy is likely to be edited. The original version of any submission (plus photographs) can be posted on the relevant page on our website and easily accessed from ‘Connect’ via a link.

The next issue of ‘Connect’ will be emailed to you on Friday, 6 February, with a copy deadline for all contributions of Monday, 2 February.