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.

What connects Bamber Gascoigne (historian and former host of ‘University Challenge’), the BBC sitcom ‘Ghosts’, and Sir Walter Raleigh’s head?

The answer is West Horsley Place, a 400-acre estate situated between Guildford and Leatherhead. At its heart is a Grade I listed manor house which was a private family home for over 600 years.

In 2014 Bamber Gascoigne (pictured above) unexpectedly inherited West Horsley Place from his aunt, Mary, Duchess of Roxburghe. He and his wife Christina went on to transfer ownership of West Horsley Place to a new charity, the West Horsley Place Trust.

Come along to Petersfield Community Centre on Wednesday 19 March at 2.30pm when one of West Horsley Place’s volunteers will reveal all … including the significance of ‘Ghosts’ and Sir Walter Raleigh’s head!

And you’ll find plenty of information – including details of guided tours, workshops, performances and open days – by visiting the West Horsley Place website.

Dates for your Diary

Still under wraps are plans for something completely new and exciting for Petersfield u3a members.
The event will be held on Tuesday 29 April at a central Petersfield location.
Watch this space for more details! 

Meanwhile, as usual, a wide variety of open meetings (all featuring guest speakers) are coming up at Petersfield Community Centre: 

Tuesday 18 March at 2pm
The universe within

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

Tuesday 25 March at 2pm
Darwin

Monday 14 April at 2.30pm
The Swinging Sixties 

At the same venue on Wednesday 26 March (10am to 12 noon) will be a coffee morning to which all members are invited

Around & About

• If you’ve ever fancied trying your hand at watercolour painting – or if you used to dabble many years ago – here’s an opportunity for you to pick up a paintbrush.
  The Watercolour Workshop group, which meets every Friday morning at Petersfield Community Centre, has a vacancy for a new member.
  Each meeting begins with a short teaching slot, though there is no formal individual tuition. Skill levels vary widely, with the emphasis on like-minded people encouraging each other to ‘do their own thing’.
  
• With the weather improving and the sea getting warmer, surely now is the time to think about joining the Petersfield Dippers?
  Six members have already marked the arrival of March with a dip in the sea.
  “It was a lovely sunny day and there were lots of people down at Eastney,” said Convenor Kay Lindon. “It was wonderful to be in the sea again!”
  
• Do you enjoy the monthly Science & Technology meetings?
  If so, how about joining the new team taking over as organisers?
  “There are currently three of us (all with a healthcare background), so we’re looking for a volunteer with a knowledge of technology,” said Barbara Rushton.
  “Please complete the form with your contact details and any ideas for potential speakers.
  “We need you to keep this group active!”

Have Your Say

‘Connect’ always welcomes news from Petersfield u3a members via u3aeditorconnect@gmail.com.

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 can be posted on the relevant page on our website and easily accessed from ‘Connect’ via a link.

“Thanks for last week’s ‘Connect’ on the language groups, two of which are mine. Nice to feel appreciated.” (Peter C)

The next issue of ‘Connect’ will be emailed to you on Saturday 5 April, with a copy deadline for all contributions of Tuesday 1 April.