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Petersfield u3a members

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

Extra chairs had to be put out …
Well done (and thank you) to all 139 members who came along to listen and vote at the AGM on 10 November.
Congratulations to Jenny Thwaites (above, centre), who was voted into the role of Chair for the coming 12 months.
She will be supported by Rose Noonan (left) and Bernice O’Reilly, who together will take over Jenny’s role when she steps down (unless someone else comes forward!).
There was a huge vote of thanks for Charles Price, who became Chair three years ago and who has steered Petersfield u3a through some challenging times.
To find out who’s who on the 2025/26 Management Committee, click here.

Dates for your Diary

As we head (with alarming speed!) towards the festive season, there’s a Science & Technology talk and a social gathering to enjoy at Petersfield Community Centre:

Tuesday 25 November at 2pm
Our climate is changing: will humanity starve?

Wednesday 26 November at 10 am – 12.30 pm
u3a Members Coffee Morning

Announcing a new development by Jenny Stevinson

After several months of thinking and talking – and, obviously, meetings – we’re excited to be able to tell you about Interest Hubs.
What???? We hear you asking. This: Interest Hubs are collections of groups doing similar activities. There are five Hubs: Arts, Languages, Outdoor Activities, Discussion Groups and Indoor Activities.
Why? So that group members can get to know others sharing their interests and maybe get to enjoy joint activities. Also, to open up channels of communication between those enjoying Petersfield u3a activities and those fabulous souls who step up to hold it all together.
So that if you’re a group member, you know that any suggestions or questions you have within your group have a route to be directed to the people who can address them and get responses back to you.
This will pave the way for greater involvement for all of us, and from the centre outwards and from group to group, helping to make Petersfield u3a a more joined-up, buzzier, busier hive of positivity.
Who? Click to see the Hub Co-ordinators.
Team work makes the dream work. If you’re interested in finding out how this particular part of our Petersfield u3a dream is going to work, ask your Convenor to bring you along to a Hub meeting, or get in touch with the Hub Co-ordinator directly. You’re welcome.

Around & About

• Christmas is definitely coming. Need proof? Then read on …
  This year’s Christmas Celebration will be held on Monday 8 December (2-4pm) at Petersfield Community Centre.
  Welcome drinks, canapes and sweet treats – along with entertainment and a fun quiz – will all be on offer. Tickets cost £8. Complete the booking form on the website to secure yours.
  Meanwhile, Make! Workshop members have been getting in the festive mood.
  Recent sessions have involved dressing a fairy and making paper garlands.
  This new group meets fortnightly at the Community Centre on Monday mornings.
  
• The Strollers ventured far beyond Petersfield this month, hiring a minibus to take 16 members and friends to Highgate Cemetery.
  With a guide to lead them around both the west and east side, the group visited a huge variety of graves. These ranged from the famous (Karl Marx, Alexander Litvinenko and George Michael) to those belonging to aristocratic families and ‘fallen girls’.
  Strollers meet on the last Wednesday morning of each month. After a walk of three or four miles, there is usually a stop for lunch at a pub or café.

Have Your Say

“I would like to thank Jenny Stevinson and everyone who did so much to bring the convenors together during the last 12 months.

“The new Interest Hubs will lead to massively improved communication between all u3a groups by sharing experiences, adopting new ideas and selecting the positive successes of individual groups to benefit and improve the whole of our u3a group activities.” Roy H.

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

To make sure the e-newsletter is easy and interesting to read and the style is consistent, 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 5 December, with a copy deadline for all contributions of Monday 1 December.