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.

Take a comfortable venue, stir in some delicious food, add the friendly company of fellow members, and serve!
Yes, the time has almost come to enjoy Petersfield U3A’s first Members Lunch.
The inaugural get-together will take place at The Folly (in the private room upstairs) in College Street, Petersfield on Tuesday 29 April at 12 noon.
On offer will be a £12 menu consisting of a main course and house drink or dessert. Sure to tempt all tastebuds, dishes range from homemade soup to ham, eggs & chips and from lemon tart with coulis to ice cream.
You’ll find more details – advance booking is essential - on our website.

Dates for your Diary

The usual wide variety of open meetings (all featuring guest speakers) are coming up at Petersfield Community Centre this month:

Monday 14 April at 2.30pm
The Swinging Sixties

Wednesday 16 April at 2.30pm
Glamorous Nights

Tuesday 22 April at 2pm
The Race to the Double Helix

Around & About

•  Looking for a fresh challenge? Willing to put your hand up and make a real contribution to our u3a?
  The search is on for a successor (or successors) to Pauline Kneen who has stepped down from her role as Volunteer Coordinator and Management Committee member.
  “We owe Pauline huge thanks for her amazing initiative in setting up our volunteer programme,” said Chair Charles Price. “Her hard work has enabled us to recruit and enthuse volunteers throughout Petersfield u3a.”
  If you’d like to find out more about building on Pauline’s achievements, please click here or email Vice Chair Jenny Thwaites on vicechair.u3aptr@gmail.com.
• Petersfield is the best place in the south east of England in which to live … and now it’s official.
  A special feature in ‘The Times’ reported: “Here you can age gracefully with an active u3a that organises trips and regular talks on more than 60 subjects.”
  It went on to highlight opportunities to get out in the South Downs on two wheels, suggesting readers joined our Cycle For Fun group!
• Peggy Pye and Sandra Sands of the Health Matters team will be spreading the word about Petersfield u3a when they host an information stand at The Avenue Pavilion in Petersfield.
  It’s all part of a free health promotion event, aimed at older people, which will take place on Saturday 26 April 10.30am-12.30pm.
  To book your place, call Swan Surgery after 2pm any weekday.
• Meanwhile, three Petersfield u3a members have been back at school.
  Louise Fox, Heather Nichols and Peter Thwaites recently spent 90 minutes sharing views with five Year 12 students at Churchers College.
  Topics ranged from the relevance of the monarchy to the role of AI and from the value of exams to a discussion about whether the world is in a more dangerous state than it was 55-60 years ago.
• If you like nothing more than a friendly exchange of views, why not join Café Philo?
  This discussion group, which meets at Petersfield Community Centre monthly on Tuesday mornings, explores philosophical topics such as justice, free will, and truth.
  New members will be very welcome. No specialist knowledge is needed – just curiosity! 
• Also happy to boost its numbers is Current Affairs 3 which meets on the third Thursday afternoon of the month in members’ homes.
  Topics are a mix of local, national and international which are all suggested on the day. 
• Looking to attract lots of members – it’s brand new! – is the Theatre Review group.
  Set to meet monthly on Thursday afternoons in private homes, its aim is to discuss productions that have been seen locally or live screenings from the National Theatre.

Meet the MC

Responsible for looking after Petersfield u3a’s finances for the past two years has been Treasurer Greg Cumming.
A u3a member for seven years, Greg was invited to join the Management Committee in late November 2022 before taking on his current role a few months later (building on his previous experience as Treasurer of the Petersfield Beekeepers’ Association).
Before retiring, Greg served in the Royal Navy for more than 30 years as a Weapon Engineer. Once on ‘civvy street’ he worked for US company Hughes and Raytheon as UK manager for the Phalanx weapon system.
“During my career I had more than my fair share of foreign postings,” said Greg. “These included living in California (twice), Washington and Chile.”

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.
“Everything about the new ‘Connect’ is so good. This issue [15 March] in particular is so interesting and a great read.” Louise F.
“Thank you for your clear news of very interesting events. It's much appreciated.” Judith S.

The next issue of ‘Connect’ will be emailed to you on Saturday 19 April, with a copy deadline for all contributions of Tuesday 15 April.