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.

You’ll be diving into another world when you go along to Petersfield Community Centre on Tuesday 25 February at 2pm. 

For the talk, entitled Communications across the oceans, will take you down to the bottom of the sea to learn about submarine cables and their importance to our modern world. 

It will cover a variety of aspects including who builds the cable systems, what’s involved in planning and implementing them, and cable security and espionage.

Dates for your Diary

Wednesday 26 February (4.30-6pm):

• Once again Churcher’s College will be throwing open its lab doors to u3a members.
  
  The Hands on Science sessions are always great fun, involving some fascinating experiments (this time the focus will be on producing lactose free milk). Absolutely no experience is necessary.
  
  Numbers are limited, so sign up now!

In addition, open meetings (all featuring guest speakers) coming up at the Community Centre over the next few weeks are:

Tuesday 18 February at 2pm:
Ultra-processed foods

Wednesday 19 February at 2.30pm:
Artists in Purbeck: Spirit of Place

Monday 10 March at 2.30pm:
My parents at war

Tuesday 18 March at 2pm:
The universe within

Wednesday 19 March at 2.30pm:
West Horsley Place: the house and its history

Around & About

• The International Affairs group certainly clock up some virtual airmiles!
  Recent topics have ranged from the rise of the Far Right in Europe to a brief history of the United Nations and from a general overview of Australia to a focus on the enclaves/kingdoms within the boundaries of South Africa.
  Members – many taking their turn to research and lead - meet at the Community Centre on the fourth Thursday morning of every month for some lively (though always respectful) discussion.
  On Thursday 20 February the group’s destination will be ‘the 15th smallest country in the world’. Why not consider spreading your wings and joining them? More inquisitive travellers would be welcome.
  
• Some 20 members of the Film Interest group recently visited the British Film Institute on London’s Southbank.
  A highlight was an in-depth presentation on the history of the BFI, which was founded under Royal Charter in 1933.
  Today it maintains the world’s largest film archive, operates four cinemas seven days a week, holds Parliamentary sound and vision records, distributes National Lottery funds to film makers … and much, much more.
  
• Calling all theatre lovers …
  Details of Chichester Festival Theatre's productions for the rest of 2025 have just been released.
  The varied schedule includes 'Hamlet', 'Top Hat', 'Lord of The Flies', and 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry'.
  Visit cft.org.uk or click onto the Chichester Festival Theatre group page where you'll also find the booking procedure. The deadline for bookings through the u3a (at a discount) is Tuesday 25 February, so the clock is ticking!

Meet the MC

Welcome to Groups Lead Bernice O’Reilly who has joined the Management Committee to bring a closer connection between the MC (click here to put faces to names) and interest groups.

The team of Bernice, Louise Fox and David Ford support members by looking after existing groups and generating new ones, whether in existing subject areas (with waiting lists) or different ones. This includes training new and existing convenors and their deputies (Louise) and administrative training and data management (David).

Previously Bernice was a civil servant in Whitehall, serving six Prime Ministers. She once got lost in 10 Downing Street and found herself face-to-face with Teresa May asking her if she needed any help finding her way out!

“As a public servant, I’ve always promoted the ideas of lifelong learning and volunteering,” said Bernice. “When I joined a u3a group recently and saw that there was an ethos of members supporting members, I jumped at the chance of getting more involved.”

Have Your Say

‘Connect’ is here for you to share your news and views. Simply drop a note to u3aeditorconnect@gmail.com.
 
The next issue of ‘Connect’ will be emailed to you on Saturday 1 March, with a copy deadline for all contributions of Monday 24 February.