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 on the blue links to be taken straight to our website.

Hampshire CyberWatch Report 

This is a hot topic right now as we all try to avoid increasingly sophisticated online scams. At July’s General Interest talk, Derrick Heywood from Hampshire CyberWatch spoke to members about staying safe online and what to do when dealing with suspicious phone calls. Derrick sent a helpful information sheet listing sites where you can find out more or report any fraudulent activity you have experienced. We have put this on our u3a website at
Hampshire CyberWatch Information Sheet

Dates for your Diary

2.00 pm – Tuesday 15 September
Health Matters –The Building Blocks of Health – how (HDRC) Portsmouth is working to help people live longer and happier lives
Sharon Court is a Research Facilitation Lead with the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) in Portsmouth. There are 30 HDRCs across the country, each working to improve the lives of people in their area. HDRCs support local government by emphasising the use of evidence from research findings, not only when making decisions but also to then understand the impact that these decisions have on health and health inequalities. Sharon will talk about the impact of health inequalities and ways that you could get involved.

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2.30 pm – Wednesday 16 September
Arts and Heritage – Petersfield Physic Garden
A keen naturalist and conservationist, Duncan MacCallum is a volunteer Ranger for the Royal Parks and the newly elected chairman of the Friends of Petersfield Physic Garden. Based on a traditional 17th-century herb garden design, the Physic Garden was planted during the 1980s on a former ‘Burgage Plot’ given to the town by local resident Major Bowen.

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2.00 pm – Tuesday 22 September
Science and Technology – Medicine Transformed – At a Price
Modern research has dramatically changed the development and use of medical treatments. Dr Peter Ball completed his PhD in molecular biology in the 1970s and is still passionate about the progress being made in cell and gene therapy. His talk focuses on recent developments in these areas and the challenges posed by cost and ethics when advancing from the experimental to the mass-production stage.

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Reminder from the membership secretary

It's time to renew your membership for the year September 26 - August 27. We notified all members about renewing their membership by email on 14 August.  If you did not see the email, please check your spam/junk folder.  Contact me to resend it if you cannot find it.  Membership Secretary

People of Petersfield u3a

Peter Clist – Committee Member

Peter first joined Liphook u3a 18 years ago in 2008 and transferred to Petersfield u3a on moving house in 2010. In addition to being a Committee member, he is the Language Groups Hub coordinator and Convenor for two Spanish groups. His working life comprised three careers: teacher of modern foreign languages, personnel manager and head of a management institute in Germany. These days, he enjoys tennis and walking, and he is a member of St Mary Magdalen church in Sheet. Peter says, “The best thing about u3a is that both the classes I run are full of lovely and interesting people”.

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Rose Noonan – Secretary

Rose joined the Management Committee in September 2024 and has been part of the Secretarial Team since November 2024.

Originally from London, she moved to Petersfield 23 years ago. During her career, she has worked in early years education and city farming. In 2022, she retired from her job in reception, admin and dispensing at a GP surgery. She joined Petersfield u3a soon afterwards.

Rose learns Spanish with the u3a, regularly attends and helps with the Arts and Heritage open meetings, and occasionally goes to Health Matters and Science and Technology meetings. Other interests include Pilates, dancing, gym work, archery and gardening. As a volunteer, Rose says, “I enjoy meeting and working with new people”.       

Around & About

The Petersfield Dippers make the most of the summer months with outings and get-togethers. This year they’ve enjoyed a trip to the Isle of Wight and a BBQ in the woods. Interested in joining the fun? Click here.

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Happy first birthday to Churches & Pubs!

Meeting on the first Thursday of every other month, members of this u3a group gather at the Festival Hall car park before heading off to visit two churches (with a guide) and a pub – all within easy reach of Petersfield. Pictured here is the trip to the spectacular Art Nouveau Watts Chapel in Compton.

The next outings are scheduled for Thursday 1 October and Thursday 3 December. If you’d like to find out more about CAPs, please click here.

Have Your Say

‘Connect’ always welcomes news and feedback from Petersfield u3a members via The Editor

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 next issue of ‘Connect’ will be emailed to you on Friday, 4 September, with a copy deadline for all contributions of Monday, 31 August.